Jahdae Barron dons a new jersey number with intentions to finish the job in 2024
As the Sugar Bowl ended and the Washington Huskies celebrated their 37-31 win over the Texas Longhorns, senior defensive back Jahdae Barron took one last look at the playing field he thought was the location of his final college game.
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Some time later, he was filling out the paperwork in order to participate in the NFL Combine. He had already accepted his Reese’s Senior Bowl invite by that point, so all signs pointed to him leaving the 40 Acres to start his professional career.
But during that paperwork session, something stopped him.
“I just had to really think about it and just pray and figure out which one was the best decision for me,” Barron said Wednesday at SEC Media Days. “I spoke with (Steve Sarkisian) and any decision I would have made, it would have been a great decision because I would have put my head down and focused on it.”
Barron said he also spoke with players like Michael Huff and Quandre Diggs for their wisdom and counsel. Eventually, Barron decided to return to the Longhorns for his super-senior season and do so in a different number.
“Right now, I decided to come back,” Barron said. “That’s where I’m at right now. I’m being where my feet are, and I’m ready.”
In deciding to come back, Barron elected to change his number to No. 7. For the first four years of his career, he wore No. 23. That was done in honor of Tardrick “Trollie” Fowler Jr., a friend of Barron’s who at 19 years old died from a gunshot wound in 2021.
Barron believes his four years, 159 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, three interceptions, and three total touchdowns in No. 23 were a proper tribute to his fallen friend. So after consulting with Huff and receiving the number from him, Barron decided to wear a new digit for his own legacy.
“I want to leave this mark and do that, represent how I’m on a whole different journey,” Barron said. “It’s deep to represent Michael Huff and to play with burnt orange in the standard he played and try to be better and better.”
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How serious is he about being the next great No. 7? Barron said he got the No. 7 tattooed on his hand with his signature when he made his choice.
“I got it the same day I decided to come back,” Barron said.
In 41 career games, Barron has started 23. Many of those were at the Star position in Pete Kwiatkowski‘s defense, commonly described as the nickel-corner. That’s a position that has a variety of responsibilities.
Barron’s ability to excel in that role has him capable of playing multiple positions, but he didn’t tip his hand as to where he’d be playing this season (though Inside Texas’ Ian Boyd has a strong sense of where No. 7 will be). He just wants to win in his second senior season.
“I’ll play all the positions,” Barron said. “I’m very versatile. I’m a savvy player. I’m willing to play whatever helps the team.”
Barron is willing to do whatever is needed for the Longhorns. The image of the Huskies celebrating in New Orleans is ingrained in his head, and he wants to replace it with an even better picture.
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“The job’s not finished,” Barron said. “I know the team, we want more. We didn’t complete where we got last year. We did okay, but we didn’t complete it and that’s not what we wanted. We just striving right now. We’re putting our head down, and we’re locked in right now.”
