Jahdae Barron impressing teammates, coaches during Texas spring practices
Few positions in football have the down-to-down demands of the nickel defensive back. Between pass coverage against slot receivers and run game responsibilities mostly on the field-side edge, nickel may be the position most “stressed” by modern offense.
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But for the Longhorns, there doesn’t seem to be much stress about nickel considering the play of one of the defensive backs working at the hybrid position known as “Star” in the Texas defense. Junior Jahdae Barron has drawn praise from teammates and coaches alike for what he’s accomplished in Texas’ spring practices.
Barron played in nine games last year with two starts at cornerback in the final two games versus West Virginia and Kansas State. He’s practiced at both cornerback and nickel this spring, but his work at the more challenging position is what has Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s attention.
“I like Jahdae’s savvy,” Sarkisian said on March 29. “I think he has good natural football instincts. I think that he’s a very aware guy. He’s aware of what’s going on around him, and he’s confident. I think he trusts his instincts and he cuts it loose. For not a big guy, he’s a very willing tackler. He’s a good blitzer, so I think he provides a lot that way.”
Sarkisian continued: “He’s not 6-foot-2 and runs a 4.3, but he makes up for it with instincts, savviness, and smarts, which sometimes is more effective than just being physically gifted. It’s having it up top.”
Even Anthony Cook, who has a front-row seat for Barron’s exploits at safety, had good things to say about the junior from Pflugerville who practices at multiple spots.
“Honestly, I feel like it’s going to be a breakout year for Jahdae,” Cook said Saturday. “He had a good year last year, and like you said, he’s done a lot of different things like nickel and corner. He’s making himself more valuable.”
One of the players who Barron is across from on a near-daily basis is wideout Jordan Whittington. On Saturday, the Longhorn slot receiver complimented Barron for his work through a handful of spring practices.
“I like how vocal he is,” Whittington said. “When he sees the call, he always echoes something even if it has nothing to do with him. His technique is phenomenal. I can tell that he works on a lot extra outside of here. He’s a leader to the other guys, even though he is a younger guy. He leads like he is my age.”
Sarkisian mentioned in late March that Texas is utilizing the nickel “a little bit different than we did a year ago.” Barron, Cook, and even Jerrin Thompson have repped some at the position, each with a varying skill set.
Cook could still factor in at nickel considering his experience in the role. But thus far, when Barron mans the spot, he has been the topic of conversation. His coverage skills still have him as a factor in the competition at cornerback, too.
But like Sarkisian mentioned, what Barron is able to diagnose and do at 185 pounds has him in a good position to be the first name listed at nickel.
