The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
2025 Football Roster
Roster
Jelani McDonald
- Position:
- DB
- Height:
- 6-2
- Weight:
- 199
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- Waco, Texas
- High School:
- Connally
- Major:
- Physical Culture & Sports
A third-year defensive back who has played in 29 games with seven starts.
JUNIOR (2025)
Has started in all three games ... logged three tackles (one solo) in season opener at No. 3/2 Ohio State (8/30) ... compiled two tackles (one solo) and a pass break-up while recovering a fumble, returning it for 24 yards, in home opener vs. San Jose State (9/6) ... collected second career interception and returned in for 16 yards vs. UTEP (9/13) ... also added six tackles (three solo) vs. the Miners.
SOPHOMORE (2024)
Played in 14 games with four starts ... appeared in season opener vs. Colorado State (8/31) and registered two tackles ... played in road win at No. 10/9 Michigan (9/7) and carded two tackles (one solo stop) ... made two tackles (one solo) vs. Mississippi State (9/28) ... compiled three tackles (two solo) against Oklahoma (10/12) ... had a half tackle against Georgia (10/19) ... logged a career-high seven tackles (five solo), including his first career tackle for loss, in the road victory at Vanderbilt (10/26) ... followed with a four-tackle (one solo) effort in the home win against Florida (11/9) ... recorded one solo tackle and a pass break-up in road win at Arkansas (11/16) ... snagged his first career interception against Kentucky (11/23) ... had two assisted tackles in the road win at Texas A&M on (11/30) ... saw action in the SEC Championship vs. Georgia (12/7) ... made three tackles (two solo) in the CFP First Round vs. Clemson (12/21) ... recorded six stops (two solo) in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Arizona State (1/1) ... played against Ohio State in the CFP Semfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl (1/10) but did not record any statistics.
FRESHMAN (2023)
Played in 12 games, primarily on special teams … had two tackles (one solo) in the Big 12 Championship Game victory over Oklahoma State … missed games versus Houston and BYU due to injury.
HIGH SCHOOL
An All-American and two-time all-district honoree … selected to participate in the 2023 All-American Bowl … ranked No. 97 nationally, No. 5 among athletes and No. 20 overall in the state of Texas by 247Sports … ranked No. 82 nationally, No. 5 among linebackers and No. 19 overall in the state of Texas by On3 … rated No. 204 nationally, No. 6 among athletes and No. 35 overall in the state of Texas by Rivals … rated No. 237 nationally, No. 20 among athletes and No. 37 overall in the state of Texas by ESPN … listed No. 3 on the Centex 25 by the Waco Tribune for the top Central Texas football recruits … named Offensive MVP of District 11-4A Division 2 and first-team all-district in 2022 … rushed 77 times for 852 yards (11.1 ypc) with nine touchdowns, while completing 33 passes for 707 yards and 13 touchdowns, along with registering 25 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and one interception as a senior … registered four 100-yard rushing games … passed for two touchdowns on offense, while securing an interception and two tackles for loss on defense against Mexia … logged a season-high 184 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 21 carries (8.8 ypc) along with one passing touchdown on offense, and five tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack against La Vega … averaged 19.6 yards per carry on eight attempts with a long of 94 in rushing for 157 yards and one touchdown against C.H. Yoe … passed for two touchdowns and rushed for one touchdown, while making six tackles with two tackles for loss against Gatesville … completed 8-of-12 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 100 yards and one touchdown on nine carries (11.1 ypc), and collecting six tackles and two tackles for loss against Madisonville … rushed for 25.1 yards per attempt on seven carries on the way to 176 yards and two touchdowns against Robinson … delivered four touchdown passes and 200 passing yards against Hamshire-Fannett … helped Connally to a 9-3 overall record, including a 4-0 district mark and title, and an appearance in the 4A Division 2 area playoffs in 2022 … selected first-team All-District 9-4A Division 2 as a quarterback in 2021 … completed 52-of-107 passes for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 576 yards on 76 attempts (7.6 ypc) as a junior … recorded 119 rushing yards and three touchdowns on seven carries (17.0 ypc) against Life Waxahachie … helped Connally to a 3-2 district mark and an appearance in the 4A Division 2 bi-district playoffs in 2021 … also competed in basketball and track and field in high school … won the state 4A triple jump title in 2022 (48-2) … earned silver medals in both the high jump and triple jump in 2021.
