25 days until Texas Football: Jelani McDonald STARts his Longhorn career in the secondary
Inside Texas is putting a new twist on long-time photographer Will Gallagher’s time-honored countdown to Texas football kickoff. In addition to Will’s great pictures, the Inside Texas staff will go through every player on the roster by jersey number and offer a season outlook on each, from five-star to walk-on.
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We’ll also look back at other greats to wear that day’s number, with special reverence to some of Texas’ best.
Today is 25 days until kickoff. No. 25 for the Longhorns this season will be worn by Jelani McDonald, a true freshman defensive back.
Jelani McDonald season outlook
Mike Gundy knows how to find them. Unfortunately for the Oklahoma State head coach, he can’t always keep them.
McDonald was committed to Oklahoma State prior to the start of his senior year with Waco (Texas) Connally. The Texas Longhorns came calling on October 11, and two weeks later McDonald backed off his pledge. The Horns topped TCU for the star athlete’s services in the ensuing recruitment, putting the finishing touches on an excellent 2023 linebacker class.
Or so it was thought. McDonald told Inside Texas in May that Steve Sarkisian and Pete Kwiatkowski were going to place the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder at Star, or nickel, to start his career. That may have had to do with maintaining a 2024 recruiting pitch for linebackers, but it also is a credit to McDonald’s athleticism and ability.
During media viewing sessions of practice, McDonald has worked at Star under the watchful eye of Terry Joseph. Whether he sticks there long term is to be determined, especially as McDonald likely adds weight to his frame.
How he takes to the position is something to monitor. McDonald may grow into a linebacker, but there may be a stop on special teams units along the way.
Jelani McDonald as a recruit
McDonald was ranked as the No. 74 overall prospect, the No. 2 athlete, and the No. 15 player in Texas according to the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.
Notable player to wear No. 25: Jamaal Charles
Charles was a three-year player for the Longhorns who rushed for 3328 yards and 36 touchdowns during his career. He was a three-time All-Big 12 selection and was a member of the Longhorns’ 2005 national championship squad. He left Texas fourth all-time in rushing yards and fifth all-time in rushing touchdowns.
He had 11 100-yard games, but his lone 200-yard contest was one to remember. During an October 2007 battle with No. 25 Nebraska, Charles scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter from 25, 86, and 40 yards out. He finished the contest with 33 carries for 290 yards and three scores, good for an average of 8.8 yards per carry.
Charles was picked in the third round of the 2008 draft by Kansas City. He is the all-time leading rusher in Chiefs history, almost 1200 yards ahead of fellow Longhorn Priest Holmes. Charles rushed 1407 times for 7563 yards and 44 touchdowns, and was a two-time selection to the NFL All-Pro team.
Also a standout for Texas in track and field, Charles was inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Honor in 2020.
All-Americans to wear No. 25
Chris Gilbert, RB, 1967 and 1968
