Former Baylor CB signee Jahdae Barron set to decide on Thursday

After two decommitments at the cornerback position over the final months of the 2020 recruiting class, the Texas Longhorns only signed one prospect at the position — Tyler John Tyler standout Kitan Crawford.

In most years, Texas would simply end the cycle with a need at cornerback, but Pflugerville Connally cornerback Jahdae Barron asked the Baylor Bears for his release from his National Letter of Intent last week, ultimately receiving it.

On Thursday, Barron will announce his new destination at 1 p.m. Central, he posted on Instagram. Texas is interested enough in Barron for two 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions to come in for the Longhorns, but Barron also received offers from Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, and Washington State on Wednesday.

A consensus four-star prospect ranked as the No. 348 player nationally and the No. 9 cornerback, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Barron chose Baylor last June, just days after taking an unofficial visit to Waco, then signed during the early period in December. He held close to 20 offers, but many of those schools likely filled needs at the position leading up to National Signing Day in February.

Texas, however, did not, although signees like Dajon Harrison and Kelvontay Dixon could also transition from offense. With three scholarships still available for the 2020 season even after the addition of Michigan graduate transfer wide receiver Tarik Black on Tuesday, the Horns have room to make Barron a part of its recruiting class.

At 5’11 and 175 pounds, Barron has adequate size to make an impact in new defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s press quarters scheme. Does he have the speed? He’s run a personal-best 10.95 100m, so his athleticism is playable in that scheme, too.

Since the Horns don’t need immediate help at the position for this season, the calculation for the Texas coaching staff is whether Barron is a better prospect than what the staff believes they can sign in the 2021 class and whether a year of redshirting Barron or playing him on special teams is worth a roster spot this season.