Barron, 23, turned in one of the best defensive seasons in college football for the Longhorns in 2024. He picked off five passes and broke up 11 more, was named first-team All-America by The Associated Press and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the country.

Jahdae Barron, a versatile defensive back for the Longhorns, was picked in the first round and No. 20 overall to the Denver Broncos.

Texas safety Jahdae Barron, whom the Broncos drafted 20th overall, asked to speak to the entire draft room over speaker phone. "[He has] a bright energy to him," Broncos coach Sean Payton said, via a transcript from the team.