Texas Football: 5 overreactions after Longhorns’ stomping of BYU

Jahdae Barron is Texas’ most important defensive player

Senior nickelback Jahdae Barron continues to shine for the Longhorns on defense this season. He’s Texas’ best defender when it comes to contesting space and making plays around the line of scrimmage from the secondary and the slot.

Despite suffering an injury in the week leading up to the Houston game on Oct. 21, Barron played really well in the last two contests. Barron was forced into action in the second half in last week’s road win over Houston due to multiple other defensive backs in the two-deep suffering injuries in that game.

In the second half against Houston, Barron helped the Longhorns limit the effectiveness of the Cougars’ deep and talented receiving corps. Barron was targeted four times in coverage against Houston, resulting in just one catch for one yard and no scores.

Barron continued to play lights out in pass coverage for the Longhorns in this weekend’s 29-point win over the Cougars. He was targeted three times in coverage by BYU, resulting in two catches for one receiving yard and no scores.

In the last two weeks, Barron allowed just two receiving yards on three catches, with two pass breakups and four defensive stops.

Barron’s versatility and consistency at the star position aren’t going as unnoticed this season as last year. He’s received more praise from the media and is getting some hype as an early-to-middle-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

I don’t think it’s out of the question to say that Barron is among the best and most imperative players to the Longhorns’ success on defense this fall.