UW's Muhammad steps into starting role

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Any doubts Ghaali Muhammad had about whether he was a legitimate Division I football player were put to rest on Sept. 12, 2009.

Playing against Texas, Muhammad, a freshman reserve linebacker and special teams player for Wyoming, scooped up a blocked punt and carried it six yards into the end zone to give the Cowboys an early 7-0 lead over the third-ranked Longhorns.

Even though Texas would go on to win the game 41-10, Muhammad had arrived at the D-I level.

"That was a big boost for me," Muhammad said. "From that point on I thought, 'Hey, I'm playing Texas. And if I can compete against them I can compete with anyone.'"

Muhammad continued to prove that point throughout the season.

The St. Joseph, Mo., product earned two starts — against San Diego State and TCU — late in the year and finished with 21 tackles. And his interception late in the game helped seal UW's 17-16 victory over Colorado State and vault the Pokes into the postseason.

All of which has his defensive teammates looking forward to what the 6-foot, 225-pound Muhammad can do in his newly acquired starting role at Will linebacker.

"He's got a lot of speed and a lot of physical ability so I think he's going to have a successful season," senior free safety Chris Prosinski said. "I think he just feels real comfortable with what he's doing and he's able to relax and just play football."

Muhammad admits that wasn't always the case last year.

While he had the physical tools, Muhammad, like most freshmen, still lacked the maturity to play the game at the D-I level.

"A lot of guys come in and say that they already have it, but that's not true," Muhammad said. "Last year, I was just trying to find my place in Division I football.

"This year I'm kind of stepping up into a leader role and trying to help the younger guys. I'm still learning the defense and becoming a student of the game, but I have a better understanding of what I'm doing."

Prosinski agreed.

"I think (Muhammad's) biggest improvement is his understanding of the defense," Prosinski said. "Now he's able to react and make plays."

Muhammad knows, though, that just because he's playing with the first-team defense doesn't mean he can relax.