The Texas Longhorns had a dominant 2024 season defensively, and defensive back Jahdae Barron was a significant reason for their success. The experienced veteran corner provides NFL teams with a reliable option to boost their pass defense in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jahdae Barron’s Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 200 pounds
- Position: Cornerback/Safety
- School: Texas
- Current Year: Senior
Barron’s Scouting Report
Barron hails from Austin, Texas, and played high school ball at John B. Connally High School. As a recruit, 247 Sports recognized him as a four-star prospect and the ninth-best cornerback in the 2020 recruiting class.
In his freshman season at Texas, Barron saw limited action in just five games. But as a sophomore, he contributed in nine games, starting in two. He finished that season with 18 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups.
As a junior, Barron’s impact at Texas increased significantly, with nine starts through 13 games. He registered 78 total tackles, 12 TFLs, one sack, one fumble recovery, three pass breakups, and two interceptions. His production was good enough to earn him an honorable mention as an All-Big 12 player.
In 2023, Barron finished the season as a Jim Thorpe semifinalist and earned second-team All-Big 12 recognition. During Texas’ Big 12 Championship season and College Football Playoff run, he logged 60 tackles, five TFLs, one interception, one fumble recovery, and six pass breakups. He also received an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl but opted to return to school for a final season.
For his fifth season at Texas, Barron started 15 games in a season in which the Longhorns reached the College Football Playoff semifinals and the SEC Championship. He finished his prolific career by winning the Jim Thorpe Award and first-team All-American honors by the Associated Press.
Strengths
- Fantastic instincts when the ball is in the air. Extremely reactive and decisive.
- Tremendous ball skills enable him to disrupt the catch point, force turnovers, and make acrobatic catches.
- Great downhill acceleration to close down gaps, which is boosted by his quick decision-making.
- Consistent and reliable tackler that breaks down on ball carriers with good technique to limit their ability to gain additional yardage.
- Physical play style and great play strength help him win reps in pass coverage and provide an impact against the run.
Weaknesses
- Limited length, particularly shorter arms than desired to play outside. Impacts his ability to battle with larger and longer receivers.
- Good, but not great long speed needed for recovery purposes.
- Requisite change of direction and hips, but not enough to make up for his lack of length.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
Barron’s impact was consistently visible on a snap-to-snap basis for the Longhorns’ impressive SEC debut. Primarily dominating as an outside corner, Barron was not only a lockdown player in coverage but also a turnover-producing machine with five interceptions in 2024.
While he was a successful playmaker on the outside, Barron best projects to bump inside to slot cornerback. Due to a lack of overall length, it will be difficult for him to win reps as often on the outside.
Nevertheless, Barron is the exact prototype to be a dominant NFL slot cornerback. While it could be perceived as a slight to say he needs to switch roles, the importance of having elite slot defenders is a huge priority for defenses at the next level.
Barron’s tackling, physical presence, and play strength are exactly what the NFL needs from slot defenders. He’s reliable enough in coverage to win against slot receivers and physical enough to play in the box against the run if necessary.
With his experience and technique, Barron projects as an immediate impactful rookie for defenses looking to round out their roster. For this reason, he could be selected in the middle to the end of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
