The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Jahdae Barron selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by Denver Broncos
04.24.2025 | Football
The 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner went 20th overall in the first round of the NFL Draft Thursday night.
GREEN BAY, Wisc. – Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft Thursday evening.
Barron is the 49th first-round NFL Draft choice in Texas history. With the pick, Texas has two first-round selections in back-to-back drafts, marking the first time the Longhorns have accomplished that feat since having two first-round picks in four-straight drafts from 2004-07.
Barron becomes the first Texas defensive back to be selected in the first round since 2013 when Kenny Vaccaro was selected with the 15th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints, and the seventh to be taken in round one since 2000. He is now the 14th UT defensive back selected in the first round all-time.
Barron is also Texas' first draft selection by the Broncos since 2021 when DB Caden Sterns was taken by Denver in the fifth round.
"You see the Thorpe Award and all the honors and recognition that Jahdae earned, and it truly exemplifies sticking with the process, putting in the work and doing all the little things to make big things happen," said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. "When I think of the growth and development he made during his time with us, it's been pretty amazing. When we first got here, he was playing nickel for us in our star position, and he did that for about two years. Then we started to transition him into playing corner in our base defense while still playing nickel in our nickel packages. That evolved into him at times playing nickel, some safety and dime linebacker in those packages. This year, we really made him our starting corner, and he has become a lockdown guy at that spot. So, you just think about the multitude of things that you have to be able to do to play nickel, safety, corner, dime linebacker, and that should tell you about his football IQ, his versatility, his preparation and study habits, his playmaking and instincts. Jahdae's got a knack for the ball, he's a very savvy football player, yet he has a very good skill set. He's physical, he can blitz, he can tackle, he can cover, he's a very good zone defender, he can identify route combinations, and he makes plays."
"As a DB what more do you want than a guy who can make plays on the ball. On top of that, he's a great leader, a great teammate, will be active in the community and be a guy that the Broncos are thrilled they selected in the first round."
Barron was the third Longhorn to win the Jim Thorpe Award with safety Michael Huff (2005) and cornerback Aaron Ross (2006) taking it home in back-to-back years. Barron was the program's sixth finalist for the award. Barron was also a finalist for the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Along with winning the Thorpe Award, the Austin, Texas product was tabbed a consensus All-American last season, becoming the 50th Longhorn (65 total consensus All-America honors) to claim consensus All-American status, which ties for the ninth-most in NCAA history. He hauled in first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press, FWAA and The Sporting News while claiming second-team praise from the AFCA and Walter Camp.
During his five-year career on the Forty Acres, Barron played in 57 games with 39 starts. Following Texas' 20-10 road win at Arkansas on Nov. 16, Barron was recognized as the Thorpe Award's National Player of the Week, the SEC's Co-Defensive Player of the Week and the Reese's Senior Bowl's Defensive Player of the Week. Barron was 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. He led the Longhorns in interceptions (5) and pass break-ups (11) to go along with 67 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.
Proving to be one of the nation's most outstanding defensive playmakers this season, Barron played an integral role in a dominant Texas defense that led the FBS in total interceptions (22) while ranking No. 2 in turnovers gained (31) and team passing efficiency defense (104.56). UT also ranked third in the FBS in total defense (283.4 ypg), scoring defense (15.3 ppg) and red zone defense (0.692) while also sitting seventh in the nation in passing yards allowed (173.8 ypg).
QUOTES FROM JAHDAE BARRON
On being part of tying a UT record of three first-round draft picks:
It's amazing. I'm just blessed. It's just crazy, the whole process and the whole journey that I've had to this point. I'm just so happy for Kelvin and Matt too. I called Kelvin right when he got picked, so for the three of us to have this together, it's special.
On how prepared he feels coming out of Texas:
I feel prepared. The Texas staff did everything they can for me, just pushing me to be a better version of myself, and they ultimately did that both on the field and off the field. I'm just bless and thankful, and I'm not going to take it for granted.
On what Coach Sarkisian and the staff have meant to him:
Coach Sark prepared me, off the field first in just maturing. He changed my life forever. Coach Joseph, Coach Gideon, PK (Pete Kwiatkowski), they all just lifted me up, even when I was going through things, they pushed me and believed in me more than anyone ever has.
On being a first-round draft pick after coming back to Texas and achieving his dreams of Thorpe Award winner and All-American:
It was all worth it. It was all worth it. It was an investment, and I invested every single day in my craft and what I was doing. It was an honor. I'm just blessed and I can't wait to get out there to Denver and just enjoy the team.
On Denver's history with the Longhorns, especially defensive backs like Brandon Jones and PJ Locke:
That's going to be amazing too, just to soak in the information from them and understanding what their culture is there and fitting in with that. I'm just ready.
On what he wants to say to Longhorn Nation:
I just want to say thank you for week in and week out just cheering for me. Being at Texas has been the best years of my life. I've dedicated so much to just wearing that burnt orange, growing up, being a child and going to the games when I was little, so just every chance I got to play in DKR, it literally meant the world to me. Every fan and every coach and every teammate played a big part in that. All of the staff there, everyone was just there with open arms and kept believing in me. UT has the best and biggest spot in my heart forever. I love you all, and Longhorn Nation forever.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Locked it down at @TexasFootball 🔒🤘 pic.twitter.com/utdWVnwTMw
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 25, 2025
Alright, alright, alright. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/vM6ah7kOJh
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 25, 2025
#BroncosCountry LIVE: Jahdae Barron meets the media at his introductory press conference https://t.co/hiVXLFqzaG
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 25, 2025
Coming soon to the Mile High City
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2025
Here's the best of Jahdae Barron 🍿@Officia1dae x @Broncos pic.twitter.com/A1uoL5cheM
Jahdae Barron is Denver bound 🤘 @Officia1dae pic.twitter.com/grfovuWpmV
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2025
Jahdae Barron is headed to the league 🤘 @Officia1dae pic.twitter.com/a5OWkWA6Dn
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2025
Added a Swiss Army Knife to our defense. @MoveTheSticks breaks down @Officia1dae's game ⬇️pic.twitter.com/iyRvo1R0Nr
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 25, 2025
Lockdown Longhorn. 🔒🤘
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 25, 2025
Let's get to work, @Officia1dae! pic.twitter.com/t5V9EVsr1x
Jahdae Barron has nothing but class 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UHmdoxoCBI
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2025
"I love this pick by the Denver Broncos..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 25, 2025
Jahdae Barron can do everything and he can play anywhere" ~ @DariusJButler #PMSDraftSpectacular pic.twitter.com/qyrR3RQhD1
Jahdae Barron and Pat Surtain...who is getting past them? pic.twitter.com/F5RmWw0oW6
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2025
