Last season, Jahdae Barron was the best cornerback in the nation and the Jim Thorpe Award-winning defensive back. Over the past few months, he earned the attention of the nation ahead of the Draft. While he didn't play on both sides of the ball like Colorado's Travis Hunter, Barron was one of the best available players in the class.
With the 20th overall pick, the Denver Broncos picked Barron in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the second defensive back drafted on night one.
Last season, the entire Broncos roster only brought in 15 interceptions. For the Horns during the 2024-25 season, Barron secured five interceptions of his own.
When he was drafted, it was a dream come true for the former Longhorn, as well as another human who was actually at the Draft in Green Bay. Samuel, a 17-year-old cancer survivor, had his Make-A-Wish dream come true as he called Barron's name for Denver's first pick of the draft.
Broncos fan Sam announces Denver's pick of Jahdae Barron as part of @MakeAWish.
— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Fg8c5xpg5j
Jahdae Barron measurables
- 5-foot-11
- 200 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.39 seconds
At just 5-foot-11, Barron is slightly undersized, but what he lacks in height, he greatly makes up for in speed and his elite on-field vision. He's an incredible all-around cornerback and can also make elite plays in the alley as a nickel back or safety.
The newest 🤘 in orange & blue.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 25, 2025
Welcome to #BroncosCountry, @Officia1dae! pic.twitter.com/ula1UCN67v
Jahdae Barron college career stats
- 221 total tackles (135 solo)
- 23 pass deflections
- 8 interceptions
- 2 sacks
- 1 forced fumble
Barron is a Longhorn legend. During his final year at Texas, he won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the nation, as he produced 67 total tackles and a jaw-dropping five interceptions. The only defensive back drafted before Barron was Colorado's Hunter, who was taken second overall.