As the Longhorns have gotten off to a 7-1 start, Jahdae Barron has been at the center of their success. On Tuesday, he received national attention for his play when he was named a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. Each year, the award is given to the best defensive back in college football based on performance, athletic ability, and character.
In eight games, Barron has recorded 29 total tackles and six break-ups. He currently leads the team in interceptions with three, which ranks 14th in the nation. The Austin, Texas native has made life difficult for quarterbacks and has been a valuable veteran piece in the Longhorns secondary.
With Barron at the center of the Longhorns’ success, the defense has been a pleasant surprise. Entering Week 10, they rank second in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense and third in passing yards allowed.
Although the regular season is winding down, Barron and the Longhorns have plenty to play for over the next few weeks. They currently rank third in the SEC standings behind Georgia and Texas A&M. If they are to leapfrog those teams, the Longhorns will need Barron at his best as he looks to add more hardware to his resume.
The three finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will be announced on November 26, and the winner will be revealed on December 12. The Longhorns hope that Barron will once again find himself in the spotlight as the field narrows. This is the second straight year Barron has been named a semifinalist.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Jahdae Barron named semifinalist for Jim Thorpe Award
