Texas' Jahdae Barron, Anthony Hill Jr. tabbed Bednarik Award semifinalists
Texas' senior defensive back Jahdae Barron and sophomore linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. were named two of 20 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding defensive player.
The duo leads a dominant Texas defense that is the nation's leader is several categories. Texas paces the FBS in passing efficiency defense (89.39) and passing yards allowed (135.3 ypg). The Horns also rank second nationally and lead the SEC in total defense (251 ypg), and rank third nationally in first down defense (133), fourth in scoring defense (12.1 ppg), sixth in passes intercepted (14), seventh in turnovers gained (20) and 13th in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.300). UT is the fifth-best defense in college football at getting stops and preventing points, posting a 79.6 percent stop rate and surrendering only 0.95 points per drive. Texas is one of three FBS teams to surrender less than one point per drive, joining Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Barron, a fifth-year defensive back, has played in 50 career games with 32 starts. He was also recognized as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award for the second-straight year on Oct. 29, along with being named as a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy on Oct. 18. Prior to the 2024 season, he was named preseason second-team All-SEC on defense and selected to the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurksi Trophy and Bednarik Award. Barron is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the nation, consistently playing multiple positions in the Texas defensive backfield, while providing leadership as a fifth-year veteran. Barron has started all nine games in 2024, leading UT in interceptions (3) and pass break-ups (7). Barron has recorded 31 total tackles (18 solo), three interceptions, 10 passes defended and one fumble recovery. His three interceptions rank 22nd nationally and second in the SEC. In addition, Barron ranks fifth on Texas in total tackles this season. In Texas' 49-17 win vs. Florida on Nov. 9, he carded two tackles (one solo) and a pass break-up. He logged three tackles (two solo) and a pass break-up in the 27-24 win at No. 25/25 Vanderbilt on Oct. 26. Barron finished with a career-high two interceptions vs. Georgia on Oct. 19. The senior defensive back also finished the game with four total tackles (two solo). Barron became the first Longhorn with two interceptions in a single game since D'Shawn Jamison accomplished the feat at West Virginia on Oct. 5, 2019 – a span of 63 games. Responsible for two of UT's three interceptions vs. the Bulldogs, it was the most interceptions Texas has recorded against a team ranked inside the AP Top-5 since the Horns had four against No. 2 Oklahoma in 2002. In UT's 31-12 win at No. 10/9 Michigan on Sept. 7, he carded four stops, one pass break-up and one fumble recovery.
Hill, who is also a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, was named preseason second-team All-SEC on defense, along with landing on preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurksi Trophy and Butkus Award. The sophomore has played in 23 career games with 15 starts during his time on the Forty Acres. He's Texas leading tackler through nine games with 66 total stops (31 solo). He also leads UT in tackles for loss with 11 and sacks with 5.5. Hill's 0.33 forced fumbles per game ranks ninth nationally and second in the SEC. He also sits ninth in the league in sacks per game (0.61) and 10th in total tackles. In the 27-24 win at No. 25/25 Vanderbilt on Oct. 26, Hill posted eight tackles (five solo), two quarterback hurries and a pass break-up. Against No. 5/4 Georgia on Oct. 19, Hill had eight tackles (four solo), 1.5 tackles for a loss of four yards, including a sack for a loss of two yards.
Hill earned national praise following his standout performance in Texas' 34-3 win over No. 18/16 Oklahoma in the Allstate Red River Rivalry on Oct. 12. He garnered Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 15), Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week (Oct. 16) and SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week accolades (Oct. 14). Against the Sooners, Hill compiled 11 tackles (seven solo), two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one pressure in Texas' win. Notching his second double-digit tackling effort of his career and season, Hill had his second career forced fumble while matching his career highs in tackles with 11 and sacks with two while tallying a career high 3.5 tackles for loss. It was Hill's fourth-straight game with a sack and his 10th with a tackle for loss. Last time out vs. Florida on Nov. 9, Hill compiled eight total tackles (three solo), one tackle for a loss of three yards and one forced fumble. It marked his second-consecutive game with a forced fumble.
Semifinalist voting for the Bednarik Award will begin on Tuesday, Nov. 12, and will close on Nov. 23. Three finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 26 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media. All semifinalists are listed in alphabetical order by school with the player's school, position and class designated.
The winners of the 30th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Thursday Dec. 12, 2024. The formal presentation of the Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik Awards will take place at the 88th Maxwell Awards Gala which will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Barron, Hill and the Longhorns trek to Fayetteville, Ark., to square off with the Arkansas Razorbacks at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 16, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The game will broadcast on ABC with Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Katie George (sideline) on the call.
(via Texas release)
