Rising young talents like Jabbar Muhammad and Caleb Ransaw are fueling a defensive resurgence in Jacksonville, turning heads with sharp technique and newfound physicality during spring workouts.
The Jacksonville Jaguars' pass defense could see a boost from their 21st-place finish last season, backed by improvements among young players who did not play many snaps.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile highlighted cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, who is heading into his second season. Muhammad did not log any snaps last year, but he's made strides in OTAs and minicamp this year.
"He's really been super detailed with his technique," Campanile told reporters on Wednesday. "I think that's one of the things that shows up. Very, very deliberate, like in the way that he's practicing."
Campanile noted that the 24-year-old is generating turnovers and is always near the action. Muhammad's improvement is crucial for his future with the Jaguars.
The former Oregon Duck signed with the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL draft. Jacksonville waived him on Aug. 26 and re-signed the following day to the practice squad, where he spent the entire season.
Muhammad signed a reserve/futures contract with Jacksonville on Jan. 12. He is competing for a spot on the roster, and his current play has impressed Campanile.
Cornerback Caleb Ransaw is another young player who has improved heading into his second season. Ransaw lost his rookie season to a broken foot during training camp last year, and surgery sidelined him.
Now fully recovered, the Jaguars' 88th pick in the third round is making plays during OTAs and minicamps. Campanile said the reps Ransaw is receiving are important because there is no substitute for repetition.
"You get better at football by playing football," Campanile said. "And I used to work for a really smart guy. I used to say, you know, that less is more. That's not true. More is more."
The young players in the secondary improving could help solidify Jacksonville as a top defense against the pass. Last season, the team ranked 21st in passing yards allowed per game, but finished second in takeaways.
Out of its 31 takeaways, 22 of them were interceptions. Campanile also led the defense to finish with a league-best 107 passes defended, 10 more than the Seattle Seahawks.
While training camp is a month away, the Jaguars' secondary has built a solid foundation in the spring. Campanile said the group is getting better every day, and it's a process.
"It's about who's going out there and who's going to be physical when we get out (and) get back here in the summer," Campanile said. "But this is always a good start, and I think fundamentally our guys have improved a bunch since we started this spring."
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