A few Texas football players earned recognition on Thursday night for their outstanding play in the 2024 season.
Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award Thursday night as the best defensive back in college football while offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. was chosen as the Outland Trophy winner for best interior lineman.
In Barron’s final year in college, he switched positions from safety to cornerback, wore Michael Huff’s No. 7 and became one of the best defensive players Texas has ever seen. He started all 13 games, collected a career-high five interceptions, had 47 tackles and broke up nine passes.
More: Texas football’s consistent worker, Jahdae Barron sets the right example for others
One of his more incredible stats comes thanks to Pro Football Focus. Barron surrendered a 27.8 passer rating in coverage this season, which is lower than if teams spiked the ball instead of throwing it to him. With Barron anchoring the secondary Texas allowed 12.5 points per game, the second-best mark in the country.
Banks has been one of the best left tackles in college ever since he stepped onto the 40-acres, and this award cemented that. According to PFF, Banks surrendered one sack this season and gave up six pressures. The Longhorns are finalists for the Joe Moore Award, which goes to the best offensive line in football, with Banks anchoring quarterback Quinn Ewers’ blind side.
He’s the second Texas player in a row to win the Outland, with Tennessee Titan defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat winning it last season.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football DB Jahdae Barron wins Jim Thorpe Award
