AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Defensive back Jelani McDonald #4 of the Texas Longhorns knocks on his helmet after a defensive stop during the SEC football game between Texas Longhorns and Arkansas Razorbacks on November 22, 2025, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images In large part thanks to a phenomenal offseason and an outstanding 2025 season, Texas football’s Jelani McDonald has landed on this year’s Jim Thorpe Award watch list, according to the award committee’s announcement earlier this week. The award is given to college football’s top defensive back each season based around the credentials such as on the field performance, athleticism, and all around character and leadership. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS Austin American-Statesman: Texas football’s scrimmage Saturday could settle these 3 position battlesDallas Morning News: What makes new UT linebacker Rasheem Biles special? Listen to his mom.247Sports: Some things I’m hearing …247Sports: Why a physics lesson is the key to Brandon Baker’s shift from tackle to guard for Texas footballInside Texas: Texas Fall Camp Intel: The latest before Saturday’s scrimmageInside Texas: Crispy routes and explosion—what Rasheem Biles said about the top three Texas running backsInside Texas: ‘BUTTER’: What college football fans at large are missing with Texas QB Arch ManningICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION Lance Jackson names three freshman defenders who have surprisedWhy Rasheem Biles didn’t consider Ohio State after leaving PittThree takeaways from Arch Manning mic’d up at practiceRECRUITING ROUNDUP 247Sports: Heat Check: Committed 2027s to track and the latest on top 2028 recruits in the Sunshine StateInside Texas: Recruiting Humidor: Texas hosting 4-star targets Isaiah Taylor, Ridge James, new names headed to Austin soonInside Texas: No. 1 edge Asher Ghioto connecting with Texas, setting up Austin tripSEC SHOWDOWN Good Bull Hunting: Position Preview: Quarterbacks Rock M Nation: Fall camp notes and quotes: August 14And The Valley Shook: QB Joe Burrow reveals what LSU told him about the use of his jersey numberRed Cup Rebellion: 2028 top 100 defensive lineman chooses Ole Miss over LSU, Texas and AlabamaRocky Top Talk: Where Tennessee turns at safety next following injury to Edrees FarooqRoll ‘Bama Roll: Predicting the 2026 Alabama Football Season: Tennessee Vols’ QB problemDawg Sports: Position Preview: Offensive success could hinge on receiversA Sea Of Blue: Judge delays ruling on Mark Mitchell transfer portal eligibility until next weekWHAT WE’RE READING SB Nation: Let’s re-draft the 2022 NFL Draft after 5 yearsSB Nation: Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald addresses controversial Terrion Arnold signingSB Nation: Jayden Daniels’ LSU feud over No. 5 jersey keeps getting more bizarreNEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION This was always a given, right? Right?… I wasn’t aware the last two Popes were Texas Longhorns fans. pic.twitter.com/mCoX6FJJlt— Vision4theBlind (@Vision4theBlind) April 13, 2026

Source: Yahoo Sports