Jahdae Barron named a Thorpe Award semifinalist
Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday. The Thorpe is given annually to the best defensive back in college football.
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Barron, a fourth-year player from Pflugerville (Texas) Connally, is enjoying a standout senior season on the Forty Acres. As Texas’ nickel, Barron has appeared in every game in 2023 and has started in five contests. He has 42 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, one interception, and a pass breakup.
His play has earned a season long Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 81.0, a number third on the team behind T’Vondre Sweat (91.7) and Byron Murphy (84.6). Barron has been one of the best players on the Longhorn defense at the difficult nickel position.
Texas has won the Thorpe Award on two occasions, and was the first school to take home the honor in back to back years. Michael Huff was the program’s first Thorpe winner in 2005 as part of the Longhorns’ national championship team. In 2006, Aaron Ross won the award and is the most recent Texas player to be named the nation’s top defensive back.
Three Longhorns have been named finalists for the Thorpe in its history: Quentin Jammer, Earl Thomas, and DeShon Elliott.
The three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award will be announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday, November 28. The winner will be revealed live on ESPN during the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 7.
2023 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists
- Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri, Junior
- Jahdae Barron, Texas, Senior
- Cole Bishop, Utah, Junior
- Denzel Burke, Ohio State, Junior
- Cooper DeJean, Iowa, Junior
- Renardo Green, Florida State, Senior
- Travis Hunter, Colorado, Sophomore
- Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama, Junior
- Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame, Sophomore
- Jakob Robinson, BYU, Junior
- Willie Roberts, Louisiana Tech, Senior
- Jaylin Simpson, Auburn, Senior
- Malaki Starks, Georgia, Sophomore
- TJ Tampa, Iowa State, Senior
- Trey Taylor, Air Force, Senior
