Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron (7) intercepts a pass in the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-Imagn Images
Jahdae Barron CB Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jahdae Barron CB Texas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Dual-Role Zone CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/07/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (68%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Dual-Role Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 02/07/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (68%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 88.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 50.3 | |
| Tackling: |
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92% |
| Run Defense: |
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93% |
| Coverage: |
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99% |
| Zone: |
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89% |
| Man/Press: |
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98% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#12
Position rank:
#3
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| College Games: 53 College Snaps: 2484 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 94/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Roger McCreary - Auburn |
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85% |
| Kool-Aid McKinstry - Alabama |
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84% |
| Patrick Surtain II - Alabama |
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80% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A local Austin product who blossomed into one of college football's premier defensive backs, Jahdae Barron capped off his Texas career by bringing home the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back in 2024. After playing sparingly as a freshman in 2020, Barron worked his way into the starting lineup by 2022 and never looked back, showcasing remarkable versatility by excelling at multiple positions in the secondary. His breakout 2024 campaign included five interceptions, with a pivotal two-pick performance against Georgia that announced his arrival as an elite playmaker.Barron's journey from three-star recruit to All-American is a testament to his relentless work ethic and football acumen. His senior season numbers jump off the page - 67 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 11 pass breakups while playing both outside corner and in the slot. What's even more impressive is how he elevated his game in the biggest moments, earning Defensive MVP honors in Texas's Peach Bowl victory and making game-changing plays throughout their SEC Championship run.
A three-year starter who logged over 2,400 defensive snaps, Barron brings the kind of battle-tested experience NFL teams covet. His versatility showed up in the snap counts - splitting time almost evenly between boundary corner and nickel while also logging significant snaps in the box. The film shows a defender who got better every year, culminating in a dominant 2024 campaign that saw him named first-team All-SEC and earn multiple All-American honors.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite processor who diagnoses route combinations in real-time - watch him jump the switch release against Georgia and you'll see a corner who knows what's coming before the receivers do
- Brings controlled violence as a tackler despite his size - takes proper angles to the ball and shows some serious dog when he needs to bring down bigger backs in space
- Exceptional plant-and-drive ability that shows up repeatedly on film - routinely beats receivers to the spot on underneath routes and disrupts timing with precise breaks
- High-level zone instincts allow him to bait quarterbacks - plays with exceptional spatial awareness and shows an uncanny knack for lurking in passing windows
- Physical press technique at the line despite average length - patient feet and strong hands allow him to redirect receivers within the five-yard window
- Nasty route recognition skills that make him a nightmare in the slot - sees route breaks develop and maintains leverage against option routes
- Plus ball skills show up in contested situations - tracks the deep ball naturally and plays bigger than his frame suggests at the catch point
- Special teams ace who brings immediate value - proven ability to defeat double teams as a gunner and shows relentless effort in coverage units
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Build-up speed creates some concerns about matching up outside - has to respect vertical threats which can leave him vulnerable to double moves
- Frame limitations show up against bigger receivers - can struggle to disengage from physical blocking when working against size on the perimeter
- Shows some hip tightness when transitioning - extra steps in his breaks can leave small windows against shifty route runners working the intermediate areas
- Can get grabby at the top of routes in man coverage - needs to trust his technique more instead of trying to overcompensate with physicality
- Aggressive mentality occasionally works against him - will bite on misdirection and take false steps that his recovery speed can't always mask
Scouting Report: Summary
Put on the Georgia tape and you'll see exactly why Barron belongs in the first round - he's disrupting timing routes in the slot one play, then rotating to deep safety and baiting throws the next. His elite processing speed shows up snap after snap against NFL-caliber receivers. What separates him is the combination of football IQ and controlled aggression - he'll bait quarterbacks into throws underneath then drive through the catch point with violence that belies his frame.The film screams match-zone weapon at the next level. Watch how Texas deployed him against spread teams - he's at his best playing off coverage where he can read route distributions and trigger downhill. His change of direction skills pop when he's playing inside-out against bunch sets.
Any pattern-match heavy scheme would maximize Barron's skill set perfectly. His ability to process quickly and play physically at intermediate depths shows up consistently on tape, particularly against high-level competition. The spatial awareness and route recognition skills translate perfectly to complex coverage schemes at the next level. His snap-to-snap consistency and special teams background mean he'll contribute from day one, but his ceiling is even higher. This is a defensive back who could be making All-Pro teams by year three in a system that leverages his football IQ and allows him to be aggressive in underneath zones.
Written By:
Eli Cooper (Big 12)
How other scouting services rate Jahdae Barron (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
32.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
6.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.