The Texas Longhorns defense was strong all season, with cornerback Jahdae Barron excelling in the defensive backfield. The senior showed his skills in many different roles, covering receivers on the outside, helping out in the box, and in the slot. Now, after playing for five years at Texas, Barron is ready to take his talents to the NFL.
Jahdae Barron Recalls Lesson From Steve Sarkisian’s Playbook
Talking about the football program and how head coach Steve Sarkisian helped him grow, Barron said on March 3:
“The University of Texas meant everything to me, especially growing up in the city of Austin and looking up to all those guys throughout my childhood. So, being a part of Texas and coach Sark’s culture, the way we carried things, he always wanted us and taught us ways to carry ourselves, not only on the field, but he wanted to make sure we were better off the field, so ultimately it made us better players.
“He always said, ‘Better the man, better the ball player.’ So, he always had three phases of life. It was education, football, and social life. So he said, ‘Once you have all those three pieces of life, you’ll be successful.’ So, I truly appreciate the University of Texas, all the teammates that I encountered with, all my coaches, CDC, the president.”
Barron also mentioned actor Matthew McConaughey, a Texas native, who attended the University from 1989 to 1993. He’s a familiar face at Longhorns games and is a mainstay on the sideline.
“Really everybody, even Matthew McConaughey, my favorite person ever, so thank you to the University of Texas and Texas fight!” Barron concluded.
Growing up in Austin, Jahdae Barron has always appreciated the Longhorns 🫶@Officia1dae | @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/pKEVDQLVPj
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2025
College Sports Network’s latest mock draft by James Fragoza projects Barron to be selected as the No. 15 overall player by the Atlanta Falcons.
Fragoza’s analysis of the cornerback reads: “Barron’s blazing 4.39-second time, paired with a 1.5-second 10-yard split at 194 pounds, proved he has the speed to hold his own against NFL-caliber receivers, solidifying his rising draft stock.”
At the NFL Combine on Feb. 28, Barron completed his 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds, tying for the sixth-fastest time among players at his position this year.
During his 2024 campaign, Barron recorded 67 tackles, 46 of which were solo, one sack, 11 pass defenses, and five interceptions. He also had one fumble recovery. Jahdae was a cornerstone player for the Longhorns and led his team to the College Football Playoff semifinal.