Jahdae Barron S Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jahdae Barron S Texas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Zone Free Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (86%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Zone Free Safety | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (86%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 86.0 / 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: | 51.8 | |
| Tackling: |
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83% |
| Run Defense: |
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84% |
| Coverage: |
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94% |
| Zone: |
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84% |
| Man/Press: |
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92% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#14
Position rank:
#3
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| College Games: 48 College Snaps: 2131 | ||
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) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Javon Bullard - Georgia |
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87% |
| Ronnie Hickman - Ohio State |
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82% |
| Dadrion Taylor-Demerson - Texas Tech |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jahdae Barron, a fifth-year defensive back from Texas, has played in 41 games with 23 starts. He's tied for sixth in program history with three non-offensive touchdowns (1 blocked punt return, 1 interception return, 1 fumble recovery). Barron was a 2023 Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist and second-team All-Big 12 selection. In 2022, he received honorable mention All-Big 12 honors. Academically, he was selected to the 2021 Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
Barron's senior season in 2023 saw him play 14 games with 12 starts, registering 61 tackles (32 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one fumble recovery, and six pass breakups. His junior year in 2022 included 78 tackles (43 solo), 11.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and three pass breakups in 13 games. As a sophomore in 2021, he appeared in nine games with two starts, logging 18 tackles and three pass breakups.
In high school at Connally, Barron was an all-state and two-time all-district honoree. He saw time as a wide receiver, defensive back, and punt returner, demonstrating versatility early in his career. Barron also competed in track and field, running the 100-meter dash with a personal best time of 10.95 seconds, showcasing his speed and athleticism.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Displays excellent spatial awareness and route recognition skills in zone coverage schemes
- Demonstrates quick-twitch athleticism and explosive closing speed when breaking on the ball
- Shows impressive play strength at the point of attack, consistently setting a strong edge against the run
- Possesses advanced pattern-matching ability, seamlessly transitioning between receivers in complex coverage schemes
- Showcases the hip fluidity and change-of-direction skills to mirror receivers in man coverage
- Demonstrates a high football IQ, quickly diagnosing plays and adjusting to offensive formations
- Displays excellent ball skills and body control when contesting catches at the catch point
- Offers versatility to line up at multiple positions, including nickel, safety, and as a sub-package linebacker
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Occasionally exhibits poor tackling form, leading with his helmet and failing to wrap up consistently
- Can be overaggressive in run support, sometimes taking poor angles to the ball carrier
- Lacks ideal length for the safety position, potentially limiting his effectiveness in certain coverage matchups
- Shows some stiffness in his backpedal, which can be exposed by savvy route runners
- Needs to improve hand usage in press coverage to avoid drawing flags at the next level
Scouting Report: Summary
At the next level, Barron's skill set translates well to a hybrid safety/nickel role in a multiple defense. His instincts and quick trigger in zone coverage make him an ideal fit for pattern-matching schemes. Barron's ability to play in the box and contribute in run support adds value to his draft stock.
NFL teams will likely view Barron as a day-two prospect with the potential to contribute immediately in sub-packages and on special teams. His versatility allows defensive coordinators to employ creative personnel groupings without telegraphing coverage intentions. As he refines his technique and adds functional strength, Barron could develop into a full-time starter.
Barron's combination of football IQ, athleticism, and playmaking ability make him an intriguing prospect for teams employing complex defensive schemes. His experience in a Power Five conference and performance against top-tier competition suggest a relatively smooth transition to the NFL level. While he may face some matchup limitations due to his size, Barron's diverse skill set and positional flexibility should allow him to carve out a significant role in an NFL secondary.
Written By:
Eli Cooper (Big 12)
How other scouting services rate Jahdae Barron (Overall Rank)
*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.