Texas' Jahdae Barron wins the Jim Thorpe Award, while Banks is voted the Outland Trophy winner..
Two standout players from the Texas Longhorns football team were celebrated during the College Football Awards ceremony broadcast Thursday night on ESPN. Jahdae Barron and Kelvin Banks Jr. earned prestigious honors for their exceptional performances this season, further solidifying Texas’ dominance in college football.
Jahdae Barron was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award, an honor given annually to the nation’s top defensive back. This marks a significant milestone for Texas, as Barron is the first Longhorn to receive this accolade since Michael Huff and Aaron Ross achieved back-to-back wins in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Barron’s impressive season stats include leading the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with five interceptions, a figure that ties him for third place across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). In addition, he has recorded 47 tackles, nine pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Barron’s contributions have been instrumental in establishing Texas as one of the premier defensive teams in college football. The Longhorns currently lead the nation in pass defense, allowing an average of only 143.1 passing yards per game. They also top the leaderboard in turnovers gained, with a total of 28. Furthermore, Texas boasts the second-best scoring defense in the country, surrendering just 12.5 points per game. These achievements highlight Barron’s critical role in anchoring the secondary and helping Texas dominate opposing offenses.
In addition to winning the Jim Thorpe Award, Barron was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award, which recognizes the best overall defensive player in college football. However, that award went to Kyle Kennard from South Carolina.
Meanwhile, Kelvin Banks Jr. continued Texas’ tradition of excellence by securing the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman. This accolade comes on the heels of Banks’ win at the Lombardi Award ceremony the previous night. Banks is the second Longhorn in two years to win the Outland Trophy, following T’Vondre Sweat’s victory last season.
Now in his third year with the Longhorns, Banks has been a cornerstone of the team’s offensive line. His leadership and skill have propelled Texas’ offensive line unit to become a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, which recognizes the best offensive line in the country. In addition to these team accolades, Banks earned individual recognition by being named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s All-America first team. These honors reflect Banks’ consistent ability to dominate in the trenches and create opportunities for his teammates.
The College Football Awards ceremony also spotlighted other outstanding players from across the nation. Colorado’s Travis Hunter emerged as a standout performer, taking home an impressive six awards. Hunter received the Biletnikoff Award (best receiver), Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player), Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player), Lott IMPACT Award, and was named the Associated Press Player of the Year and the Walter Camp Player of the Year. Hunter’s historic performance underscores his versatility and dominance as a two-way player.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty also made headlines by winning the Maxwell Award, which is presented to the country’s most outstanding player as determined by the Maxwell Club. In addition, Jeanty claimed the Doak Walker Award, which recognizes the nation’s best running back. These achievements reflect Jeanty’s significant impact on Boise State’s offensive success this season.
Overall, the College Football Awards celebrated a remarkable season of individual and team accomplishments. For Texas, the recognition of Barron and Banks signals a bright future for the program as the Longhorns continue to solidify their status among college football’s elite.
