Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: CB Jahdae Barron

Here is our scouting report on Jahdae Barron from Texas

We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at cornerback Jahdae Barron from Texas.

Jahdae Barron

CB
Texas Longhorns
Senior
4-star recruit
5’11”
194 lbs

Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

History:

Jahdae Barron was born and raised in Austin, Texas, making him a hometown talent for the Longhorns. He attended Pflugerville Connally High School in a suburb just north of Austin. During his high school career, Barron emerged as a versatile and highly-recruited athlete. He played multiple positions, including quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back, showcasing his athleticism and football IQ.

Despite being versatile and a two-way player, his future at the collegiate level was clearly on defense, where his skills as a cornerback stood out. He was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to the University of Texas over offers from other powerhouse programs like Baylor, LSU, and Oklahoma, choosing to stay close to home and play for the Longhorns.

Barron enrolled at the University of Texas in 2020 and saw limited action as a true freshman, appearing in eight games primarily on special teams and as a reserve defensive back. He recorded six tackles, laying the groundwork for future opportunities.

He began to carve out a bigger role in 2021, playing in nine games and starting two. Barron tallied 18 tackles, one tackle for loss, and three pass breakups, showing promise as a reliable depth piece in the secondary.

2022 saw a breakout for Barron. He played in all 13 games, starting nine, and recorded 78 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and a pick-six. His versatility allowed him to play both cornerback and the “star” position (a hybrid nickel role) in Texas’ defensive scheme.

Barron solidified his status as a key starter in 2023, playing in all 14 games and earning All-Big 12 Second Team honors. He registered 60 tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles, and six pass breakups. His performance helped Texas win the Big 12 Championship and reach the College Football Playoff, though they lost to Washington in their first playoff game.

Barron’s fifth and final season was his best. With Texas transitioning to the SEC, he elevated his game, starting 16 games played through the regular season and into the CFP. He recorded 67 tackles, five interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and a blocked punt. His stellar play earned him the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, First-Team All-SEC honors, and First-Team All-American, cementing his legacy as one of Texas’ all-time greats in the secondary.

2024 Statistics

971 Defensive Snaps
941 Coverage Snaps
5 Total Pressures
1 Sack
67 Total Tackles
3 Tackle for Loss
11 Pass Breakups
5 INT
1 Fumble Recovery
0 TD Allowed
34.2 Passer RTG Allowed
2 Penalties

NFL Combine/Pro Day

10-Yard Split- 1.50s (86%)
40-Yard Dash- 4.39s (86%)
Vert- 35” (36%)
Broad- 123” (56%)

Awards

All-America (2024)
Jim Thorpe Award (2024)
First-Team All-SEC (2024)
Second-Team All-Big 12 (2023)

Scorecard

Overall- 85.8
Speed- 84
Acceleration- 85
Agility- 90
Strength- 80
Tackling- 90
Zone Coverage- 92
Man Coverage- 82
Press- 77
Discipline- 94

THE GOOD

• Barron’s ability to play multiple positions makes him a Swiss Army knife in the secondary.
• Very comfortable in man coverage, zone, and even as a blitzer off the edge.
• He has a knack for locating and attacking the ball.
• Has elite instincts and awareness.
• He reads quarterbacks well, anticipates routes, and positions himself to disrupt plays.
• He tackles well in open space and isn’t afraid to mix it up with bigger receivers or support in run defense.
• He faced some top-tier talent over the years and managed to keep pace.
• Has experience on special teams, adding to his roster appeal.

THE BAD

• He can get beat by pure speedsters and struggles to stay engaged if not on his A-game to cover deep threats.
• He’s slightly undersized for an outside corner and will struggle against more physical receivers in the NFL. This could push him inside to nickel in the pros, where his frame is better suited.
• Barron excels in zone and off-coverage but struggles with quick-twitch receivers in press-man situations. His technique can get grabby, risking penalties at the NFL level.
• Entering the NFL at 23, he’s older than some prospects due to his five-year college tenure, potentially limiting his developmental ceiling and coaching appeal.

THE FIT

Jahdae Barron is a polished, instinctive defensive back with a proven track record against top college competition. His versatility, ball production, and tackling make him a safe bet to contribute early in the NFL, likely as a starting nickelback with upside to develop into a full-time starter. While he won’t wow with some of his athletic measurables, his tape and intangibles suggest a long, productive career, think a reliable CB2 or elite slot defender rather than a lockdown No. 1 corner.

He is limited due to his size and high-point ability, meaning in the NFL he will best serve as a nickleback defender in a zone-heavy scheme (Cover 3 or Tampa 2) where his instincts and tackling can shine. This means some teams will pass in the draft on Barron given how some scouts will value him. For a player with limited to slot only, is a Day 1 pick too rich?

The Cowboys’ secondary is talented but could use depth and youth, especially at nickel, where Jourdan Lewis is set to become a free agent. Outside corner depth is also a concern if injuries strike again like last season when Trevor Diggs and DaRon Bland both missed time. Barron’s best fit with Dallas would be as a slot corner, replacing or complementing Jourdan Lewis. The team’s defense would love a cornerback who can tackle and play the ball, this aligns perfectly with Barron’s skill set.

While Diggs and Bland are entrenched as starters, Barron’s experience playing outside at Texas (over 30 starts) makes him a viable CB3 and injury replacement. His versatility to slide outside in a pinch is a bonus, though his lack of elite catch up speed might limit him against speedier wide receivers. Barron’s ability to play special teams also gives him an edge in earning a roster spot. The Cowboys value defenders who can play gunner or cover kicks, especially with roster turnover looming.

Jahdae Barron would be an excellent fit for the Dallas Cowboys as a versatile, high-IQ nickelback with immediate starting potential and long-term upside. He complements Diggs and Bland by adding depth and a different flavor, less of a pure ball hawk, more of a gritty, all-around defender. He’d thrive in the slot, disrupt short passing games, and bolster a secondary that’s on the verge of returning to greatness. If Dallas grabs him in the 2025 draft, expect him to contribute early and often, potentially becoming a fan favorite.

COMPARISON

Kyler Gordon, Chicago Bears

BTB GRADE

28th

CONSENSUS RANKING

25th
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)