Texas Football senior defensive back Jahdae Barron has been named one of three finalists for the 2024 PAYCOM Jim Thorpe Award, as announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association on Tuesday. This prestigious award is presented annually to the top defensive back in college football, recognizing excellence in performance, athletic ability, and character.
Barron is the first Texas player to be a Thorpe Award finalist since safety DeShon Elliott in 2017. The Longhorns have had two previous winners: safety Michael Huff in 2005 and cornerback Aaron Ross in 2006. Barron is the sixth Texas player to be a finalist for this award.
In addition to being a Thorpe Award finalist, Barron is also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player, and a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award. Following Texas’ 20-10 road victory over Arkansas on November 16, Barron was honored as the Thorpe Award’s National Player of the Week, the SEC’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week, and the Reese’s Senior Bowl’s Defensive Player of the Week.
A fifth-year defensive back, Barron has appeared in 52 career games with 34 starts. Before the 2024 season, he was named to the preseason second-team All-SEC on defense and was included on the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award. Known for his versatility, Barron has played multiple positions in the Texas defensive backfield and has provided leadership as a veteran player. Through 11 games, he has recorded 41 tackles (27 solo), 10 defensive stops, four interceptions (returned for 65 yards), five pass break-ups, eight passes defended, one fumble return, one sack, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries. His four interceptions rank 12th nationally and lead the SEC. Barron’s 41 total tackles are the fifth-most by a UT defender this season, and he also leads the team in pass break-ups.
With Barron anchoring the defense, Texas ranks second in the FBS in total defense (247.5 yards per game), passing yards allowed (143.5 yards per game), passing efficiency defense (93.51), passes intercepted (17), and first down defense (162). The Longhorns also rank third in scoring defense (12.1 points per game) and lead the SEC in all these categories. Additionally, Texas ranks fifth in the FBS in turnovers gained (24), ninth in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.299), 11th in sacks (3.0 per game), and 13th in tackles for loss (7.3 per game). Texas ranks third nationally in defensive stop rate, recording stops on 80.5 percent of opponent drives this season. The Longhorns are the best in the country at preventing explosive plays of 20-plus yards (22) and 30-plus yards (seven). Barron has been a key player in a Texas secondary that has allowed only four passing touchdowns this season, tying for the fewest in the FBS.
Via press release, Texas Athletics
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