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Texas DB Jahdae Barron wins the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award

On3 imageby:Justin Wells12/12/24
Jahdae Barron, Texas
Jahdae Barron - © Brett Patzke-Imagn Images

Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron returned to Texas for more season to improve his draft stock, prove he could be a shutdown corner, and win the Jim Thorpe Award. Tonight, he hit the trifecta when he won the Thorpe, given annually to the best defensive back in college football.

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Barron joins Michael Huff (2005) and Aaron Ross (2006) as Longhorn recipients of the honor. The Pflugerville (Texas) Connally native is Texas’ first Thorpe Award finalist since safety DeShon Elliott in 2017. Overall, Barron is Texas’ sixth finalist for the Thorpe Award.

In addition to being selected as a finalist for the Thorpe Award, Barron was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top defensive player.

A fifth-year defensive back, Barron has played in 54 career games with 36 starts. Prior to the 2024 season, he was named preseason second-team All-SEC on defense and selected to the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurksi Trophy and Bednarik Award. Barron is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the nation, consistently playing multiple positions in the Texas defensive backfield, while providing leadership as a fifth-year veteran. Through 13 games, Barron has compiled 47 tackles (42 solo), 10 defensive stops, five interceptions (returned for 65 yards), nine pass break-ups, eight passes defended, one fumble return, one sack, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.

With Barron leading the UT defense, Texas ranks second in the FBS in total defense (247.5 ypg), passing yards allowed (143.5 ypg), passing efficiency defense (93.51), passes intercepted (17) and first down defense (162), while ranking third in scoring defense (12.1 ppg), and leading the SEC in all of those categories. The Longhorns also rank fifth in the FBS in turnovers gained (24), ninth in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.299), 11th in sacks (3.0), and 13th in tackles for loss (7.3). 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 is a guiding force in a Texas secondary that has surrendered only four passing touchdowns this season – which ties for the fewest in the FBS.

The other two finalists for the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award were Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Georgia safety Malaki Starks. The award recipient is selected from the three finalists by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former Paycom Jim Thorpe Award recipients, members of the NCFAA and sports writers and college football journalists throughout the country.

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