MADISON- Successful athletes never want to be on the sidelines while the action is fast and furious. Unfortunately, the sidelines will be where Jamil Muhammad will watch the 2017 football season of the James Clemens Jets.

The super-talented starting junior quarterback suffered a season-ending torn ACL during off-season workouts, underwent surgery on July 18 and will miss the entire campaign. Muhammad indicated there is a very slim chance he will return late this season and it may be better for him not to try a return in 2017.

“I seem to be healing well from the surgery as I’ve had some really good early progress,” said Jamil, 6-foot-2, 210-pound duel threat leader of the Jets’ offense. “My job now is to help the players who will replace me at quarterback. I will pass on everything I know. It’s not about me, it’s about the team.”

James Clemens was 8-4 last year and made it to the second round of the Class 7A playoffs. Muhammad made his mark as a starter about a third of the way into the 2016 campaign and became a superb offensive weapon for the Jets.

“Jamil has been a phenomenal leader and he will continue to be, though he’s not playing,” said Wade Waldrop head coach of James Clemens. “His injury has our entire team and coaching staff fired up. His not playing hurt so bad for all of us because he’s doing things right. He’s committed to doing things right. He had tremendous growth through his season as a sophomore and during the off-season.”

The question now is who will take over Muhammad’s spot at quarterback?

Currently there is a three-way battle for the spot between Chris Baker (So.), Jackson Reece (Jr.) and Connor Cantrell (Fr.). Baker had a few varsity snaps a year ago and was starting quarterback for the freshman squad. From an experience standpoint, Baker (5-10, 185) would have a lead going into the pre-season practices.

Losing the talented signal caller was definitely a shock to the entire team. “It was a tough feeling at first. It hurt,” said Daevion Davis, a junior. “Jamil’s injury caused me to go harder and push my teammates harder. We have a void now and we must step up even bigger than ever.”

Muhammad began to jell as a sophomore and has had looks by many collegiate programs and has actually received an offer to Mississippi State. For now, just the recuperation process will be his first and foremost responsibility. He will also look at his team from a much different position on the field than he ever imagined.

“We have a more of a brotherhood than we did last season and instead of counting on one particular player, we have come together as a team,” added Muhammad.