Texas Football 2024 Awards: Do Longhorns Quinn Ewers, Jahdae Barron Win Honors?
As the 2024 college football season comes to a close, the Texas Longhorns have made significant strides under head coach Steve Sarkisian. With their sights set on joining the Southeastern Conference in the coming years, the Longhorns’ performance this season has placed them in the spotlight as one of the premier programs in college football. Key players like Quinn Ewers, Jahdae Barron, and others have had standout seasons that have sparked conversations about individual accolades. But as the offseason begins, the burning question is: Which Longhorns will claim coveted honors and awards for their performances during the 2024 season?
In this article, we’ll analyze the season performances of the Longhorns’ key players, focusing on Quinn Ewers, Jahdae Barron, and others who could realistically secure individual accolades. We’ll look at potential awards from national and conference perspectives, diving into their stats, accomplishments, and the challenges they faced, as well as analyzing how their performances compare to their peers.
1. Quinn Ewers: Heisman Contender and National Recognition
Quinn Ewers, the Texas Longhorns’ star quarterback, has been one of the most talked-about players in college football this season. Entering 2024, expectations were high for Ewers as he looked to prove that he could elevate Texas to championship contention while continuing to develop as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Now, after a stellar season, the question remains: Can Ewers secure major postseason honors?
A. Heisman Trophy Consideration
The Heisman Trophy is arguably the most prestigious individual award in college football, and in 2024, Quinn Ewers was squarely in the conversation as one of the leading candidates. His stats this season were impressive, throwing for over 3,500 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions. His ability to make all the throws, combined with his poise and leadership on the field, has earned him a reputation as one of the top quarterbacks in college football.
While Ewers’ stats were eye-popping, he also showed remarkable growth as a leader. He played a major role in Texas’ success, guiding the team to key wins against top-ranked opponents and maintaining a high level of consistency throughout the season. His ability to keep drives alive with clutch throws in critical moments helped Texas reach the Big 12 Championship Game and push for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
However, there were obstacles in Ewers’ Heisman pursuit. Despite his impressive individual performance, Texas’ two losses—one to Oklahoma and another to a strong SEC opponent—ultimately hurt his case. The Heisman Trophy often rewards players who are not only statistically dominant but also lead their teams to national prominence. Ewers will likely finish in the top 5 for Heisman voting, but his hopes for claiming the trophy may fall short, especially with other contenders like Caleb Williams (USC) and Drake Maye (North Carolina) vying for the award.
B. Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year
Even though Ewers may fall just short of the Heisman, his performance could make him a frontrunner for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. This is a highly prestigious award, and after throwing for over 30 touchdowns and leading Texas to a conference championship appearance, Ewers is likely to be considered one of the top candidates. The award is often decided by the individual’s stats, as well as the team’s success, and given Texas’ strong offensive play, Ewers could very well be crowned the Big 12’s best offensive player.
2. Jahdae Barron: Defensive Standout and Big 12 Recognition
Jahdae Barron, Texas’ standout defensive back, has emerged as one of the top cornerbacks in the country in 2024. Barron’s performance this season not only helped Texas’ defense remain formidable in the Big 12 but also positioned him as one of the most elite defensive backs in college football. His stats, versatility, and ability to shut down top wide receivers are just some of the reasons he is generating buzz for major postseason awards.
A. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award often goes to a disruptive force who has the ability to impact games in multiple ways, and Barron has certainly checked all of these boxes in 2024. He has been a key playmaker for the Longhorns, racking up 5 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and numerous pass breakups. His performance in the secondary has been a significant part of Texas’ defensive success, especially in key matchups against explosive offenses. Barron’s ability to lock down top-tier wide receivers, coupled with his ability to create turnovers, has made him one of the most feared defensive backs in the conference.
Barron’s ability to disrupt passing games, make tackles in the open field, and be an effective blitzer when needed has allowed him to stand out in a talented conference filled with high-level defensive players. While competition for the award is always fierce, Barron should be considered one of the top candidates, and his chances of winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year are high.
B. Consensus All-American Status
On the national level, Jahdae Barron could also earn Consensus All-American honors, a distinction given to players who are universally recognized as being among the best at their position. Barron’s statistics, combined with his performance in high-profile games, make him a likely candidate for this prestigious recognition. All-American honors are often awarded to players based on their performance in high-leverage situations, and Barron’s ability to deliver in clutch moments will undoubtedly catch the eyes of national voters.
Barron’s leadership, defensive playmaking, and consistent coverage ability have made him a standout performer this season. With the rise of passing offenses in college football, lockdown cornerbacks like Barron are in high demand, and his stock is rising in the eyes of NFL scouts as well. His accomplishments this season, combined with his status as a key player on one of the nation’s top defenses, position him as a strong contender for Consensus All-American honors.
3. Texas’ Other Notable Candidates for Awards
While Quinn Ewers and Jahdae Barron are two of the most high-profile candidates for postseason awards, several other Texas players also had standout performances in 2024. These players could be in line for recognition as well.
A. Xavier Worthy: Big 12 Receiver of the Year
Xavier Worthy, Texas’ star wide receiver, continued to be a top target for Quinn Ewers throughout the 2024 season. Worthy amassed over 1,200 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, proving once again that he is one of the premier wide receivers in the nation. His speed, agility, and ability to track deep passes have made him one of the toughest matchups in the Big 12. With these stats, Worthy should be a strong contender for Big 12 Receiver of the Year honors, and his name could appear on several All-American lists as well.
B. Bijan Robinson: NFL Draft Projection
Although Bijan Robinson declared for the NFL Draft following the 2023 season, his legacy continues to loom large over the Longhorns’ program. Texas’ offense was always going to be built around Robinson’s running ability, and while his departure leaves a void, the running back unit led by Jonathon Brooks has shown impressive development in his absence. Brooks could surprise in the future, but the program will have a lot to do to fill the shoes left by Robinson, who remains a projected top NFL pick.
C. Defensive Line – Byron Murphy II and Alfred Collins
The Texas defense boasted an impressive defensive line in 2024, anchored by Byron Murphy II and Alfred Collins. These players were critical to the success of Texas’ defense, particularly in terms of disrupting the opposing quarterback and stopping the run. Murphy’s tenacity and ability to generate sacks made him a candidate for Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, while Collins’ ability to play across various spots on the line made him invaluable to the Texas defense.
4. Coaching Staff and Program Awards
Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff also deserve recognition for their excellent job in guiding the team through a challenging season. Sarkisian has helped build a culture of success at Texas, and the team’s improvement this season is a direct result of his leadership.
A. Big 12 Coach of the Year
Sarkisian’s ability to develop young talent and orchestrate a high-powered offense should position him as a strong candidate for Big 12 Coach of the Year honors. Under his watch, Texas not only improved its offensive efficiency but also developed a defense capable of competing with some of the best programs in the country. While Texas faced stiff competition in the Big 12, Sarkisian’s leadership was pivotal in helping the Longhorns remain at the top of the conference.
5. Conclusion: Can Ewers and Barron Win Major Honors?
The 2024 season for the Texas Longhorns has been a major step in the right direction, with Quinn Ewers and Jahdae Barron emerging as potential award winners. Both players have had standout seasons that position them well for major postseason recognition, but the competition for top honors remains fierce.
Ewers will likely finish in the top five of Heisman voting and could win Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year if Texas’ success continues to be recognized. Barron, meanwhile, should have an excellent chance at winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and possibly securing All-American status, given his impact on Texas’ defense.
With these stars leading the way, the Longhorns’ future looks bright as they head into their SEC journey. The 2024 season has already provided plenty of highlights, and the postseason awards may only serve to further solidify Texas’ status as a rising power in college football.
