Al-Quadin Muhammad is a professional American football player who has worked hard to build a steady career as an edge rusher in the NFL. He is known for his power, effort on every play, and his path from high school star to a role player who can make big plays when his team needs him. The short story: he played college football at the University of Miami, was taken in the 2017 NFL Draft, and after several stops he found playing time with the Detroit Lions. (Wikipedia)
Early life and high school years
Muhammad was born in Irvington, New Jersey. He first played high school football at Paterson Catholic and then transferred to Don Bosco Prep, a well-known football school in New Jersey. At Don Bosco he was a highly rated defensive end, and his high school play put him on the radar of college recruiters. These early years shaped his technique and toughness — the basics that helped him later at Miami and in the NFL. (Wikipedia)
College at Miami — talent and trouble
In 2013 Muhammad committed to the University of Miami, a program with a long football history. He showed promise early: as a freshman he played in games and made plays as a pass rusher. However, his college career was not smooth. He missed an entire season because of disciplinary actions and later was suspended and dismissed from the Miami program in 2016 following an off-field NCAA rules issue. Even with those setbacks, his natural ability and flashes of production kept him on pro scouts’ radars. (Wikipedia)
Entering the NFL — draft and rookie year
Despite the bumps in college, Muhammad’s size and athletic ability earned him a place in the 2017 NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints selected him in the sixth round (196th pick). He played sparingly as a rookie but had the basic tools teams look for in a depth edge rusher: good size, strength to set the edge, and enough quickness to pressure the quarterback on occasion. (Wikipedia)
A journeyman who kept working
After the Saints waived him in 2018, Muhammad’s career followed the path many late-round picks experience: multiple teams, practice squad assignments, and the need to prove himself all over again. The Indianapolis Colts claimed him off waivers and he had stints on their active roster and practice squad. Over the next years he had short stays with other teams too, including the Chicago Bears and a second look from the Colts and Cowboys. Each stop taught him something new about pro-level preparation and the small margins that separate starters from backups. (Wikipedia)
Finding a role in Detroit
In 2024 Muhammad signed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad and later earned promotion to the active roster. There he made the most of his opportunities, showing rotational value as a defensive end/edge rusher. In limited appearances he produced sacks and pressures, and coaches praised his effort and technique. By 2025 he had earned more playing time and a re-signing with the Lions, showing that persistence and consistency can flip a career from fringe to dependable depth. (Detroit Lions)
Playing style — what he brings to the field
Muhammad’s game is built on a few clear strengths. He has physical power to hold up against the run and to push offensive linemen off their spots. He uses quick initial moves off the snap and then works to finish plays with his hands and leverage. He is not necessarily a flash defensive superstar, but he is a strong rotational piece who can come in on passing downs to rush the passer and on early downs to protect against runs to his side. Teammates and coaches often point to his energy and willingness to chase plays downfield. Reports and game film show a player who works hard to maximize his snap value when he is on the field.
Career highlights and numbers
Muhammad’s career stats show the typical arc of a rotational player: not huge totals, but key plays when given the chance. Over multiple seasons he has recorded tackles, sacks, and quarterback hits that give his teams short-term lift. In the 2024 season with Detroit he appeared in nine games (two starts) and logged a handful of tackles and three sacks — numbers that helped the Lions and earned him another contract. These kinds of contributions are often the difference between depth problems and a defense that can rotate fresh rushers late in games. (Detroit Lions)
Personal side — dedication and routine
Articles and interviews with Muhammad describe a player who is serious about training and family life. He has talked about his training habits, consistent diet, and the personal focus that helps him stay ready whenever a team calls his number. This steady approach is common among players who must be ready to move teams or step into larger roles at short notice. For Muhammad, the work in the weight room and on the practice field has paid off with more chances to play meaningful snaps.
Challenges and learning moments
Muhammad’s path includes challenges many athletes face: disciplinary issues in college, roster cuts, and a suspension in 2023 for a policy violation. Those moments were setbacks but also learning points. How a player responds to trouble — by improving behavior, training harder, and performing professionally — matters a lot to coaches. Muhammad’s ability to return to rosters and keep earning opportunities shows that he made adjustments and kept working. (Wikipedia)
Why players like him matter to teams
Every NFL team needs reliable role players. Not every roster spot is for a superstar; many are for players who can play a specific role well. Muhammad is a clear example: he provides depth, occasional pressure on the quarterback, and the kind of effort that helps a defense remain competitive across a long season. Coaches prize players who are ready when injuries happen or when a matchup calls for a particular skill set. A man like Muhammad can be the unsung engine that keeps a defensive front working. (Detroit Lions)
Memorable moments
There have been plays that fans and analysts point to when talking about Muhammad: multi-sack games, timely pressures, and a few highlight plays against notable quarterbacks. These moments may not make headlines every week, but they matter in games — forcing punts, creating turnovers, or swinging momentum. Coaches remember those plays when they plan rotations and call players up from the practice squad. (NFL.com)
Looking forward — what to watch
If you follow Muhammad’s career, look for a few things: how many snaps he gets on third-down pass rush situations, whether he continues to earn starts in rotational packages, and if he can increase his sack and quarterback pressure totals. Staying healthy and maintaining technique will be key. If he continues to show growth, Muhammad could remain a valuable rotational piece or even push for more consistent starting time depending on team needs and injuries.
Final thought
Al-Quadin Muhammad’s story is a reminder that professional sports careers are not always straight lines. Talent gets you noticed, but resilience, work ethic, and the ability to learn from setbacks keep you in the league. From New Jersey high school star to Miami recruit, to draft pick, to team hopper, and now a contributor in Detroit — Muhammad’s career shows the long grind and small victories that define many NFL players’ lives. For fans, he is an example of how persistence and preparation pay off when opportunity finally comes. (Wikipedia)
Sources used for this article (selected highlights): Wikipedia (biography and career summary), the Detroit Lions official site (team bio and game logs), Pro-Football-Reference (career stats), ESPN and NFL.com (player pages and game highlights). (Wikipedia)