RB Adam Mohammed will have a big role as a freshman

Adam Mohammed will be part of Washington’s running backs rotation in 2024.

Washington Huskies coach Jedd Fisch loves to play freshmen, and running backs coach Scottie Graham loves what he’s seen from former three-star recruit Adam Mohammed. After a strong performance in Saturday’s “Big Husky Kickoff,” Mohammed has lived up to Graham’s high expectations.

“Baby,” Graham said in the spring. “205 [pounds]. When he gets to 220, it’s going to be lunch money. You know what that means? Remember back in high school? ‘Give me your lunch money.’ ‘No!’ ‘Yes, give me your lunch money.’”

Early in Washington’s mock game, Mohammed took some lunch money, throwing a strong stiff arm on his way to picking up a first down. He also scampered his way for 23 yards down the sideline in front of the Husky bench, displaying his impressive speed to go along with his 6-foot, 212-pound frame.

All of this comes as no surprise to Graham.

“I told you guys in the spring what was gonna happen with Adam Mohammed,” he said on Friday. “And I’m not anybody that’s gonna predict anybody’s future, but hard work, knowledge, information, that generally becomes successful.”

While supplanting either member of the veteran pair of Jonah Coleman and Cameron Davis seems extremely unlikely, Mohammed does something every day to prove that he deserves a role in Fisch’s offense, even as a true freshman as the Huskies head into the Big Ten.

His impressive physical skills are a big plus as he seems to have locked up the No. 3 running back spot, but his football IQ, ability to pick up the offense, and oncoming blitzers as a pass protector have been very important too.

“We all pass protect. That’s what we do. If you can’t pass protect, you can’t play this game,” Graham said. “We play in a pro-style offense. So you gotta be able to pick up blitzes. Be able to recognize the blitzes, not necessarily picking up blitzes, but do you know who’s coming?

If you came in in June, it’s probably going to be pretty difficult, but if you come in in the winter like Adam did in January, you get a chance to teach it to them.”

Now that Mohammed has learned the offense, and clearly appears comfortable in it, he looks ready to be unleashed this season.