Just a month ago, Jalen Klemm found himself in the Superdome in New Orleans, expressing how things had seamlessly fallen into place for him with the University of Washington football team and discussing his upcoming plans. The team’s strength and conditioning coach, Ron McKeefery, had devised a plan to add weight to the 6-foot-5, 281-pound frame of this backup offensive tackle, who had previously transferred from Kansas State.
Klemm mentioned how much he trusted offensive-line coach Scott Huff, who was in his seventh season with his third Husky football coach, to develop him into a productive player.
“My relationship with coach Huff, I like him a lot as a coach,” Klemm said. “He’s somebody my dad has a lot of respect for, too.”
However, that was then, before a 37-31 Sugar Bowl victory over Texas, when everyone, from the top of the roster to the bottom, was comfortable in his surroundings, and this is now.
As of Tuesday, reports indicate that Klemm has entered the transfer portal, as stated by On3.com. This move makes him the seventh scholarship offensive lineman from UW to either declare for the NFL draft or express the intention to transfer to another college.
Jalen Klemm, son of former NFL lineman and recent New England Patriots coach Adrian Klemm, deliberately chose the UW football program due to its stability and long-term prospects. This decision was influenced by the entrenched position of Coach Huff in his role. However, with February approaching, Huff has since joined Alabama’s coaching staff under Kalen DeBoer. Meanwhile, McKeefrey, recognized for the Huskies’ physical fitness and national title contention, is reportedly seeking employment after both the UW and Alabama have filled their strength coach positions.
Klemm, who had the potential to vie for significant playing time with the Huskies in the upcoming season given recent departures from the offensive line, has entered the transfer portal. Instead of challenging for a spot on the field, he now contemplates finding a new place that might be a better fit and offer more stability. Klemm believes he has a lot to contribute, describing himself as athletic, physical, smart, possessing a strong football IQ, and expressing a deep passion for the game.
