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 battles
Dallas 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 football
Inside Texas: Texas Fall Camp Intel: The latest before Saturday’s scrimmage
Inside Texas: Crispy routes and explosion—what Rasheem Biles said about the top three Texas running backs
Inside Texas: ‘BUTTER’: What college football fans at large are missing with Texas QB Arch Manning
ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION
Lance Jackson names three freshman defenders who have surprised
Why Rasheem Biles didn’t consider Ohio State after leaving Pitt
Three takeaways from Arch Manning mic’d up at practice
RECRUITING ROUNDUP
247Sports: Heat Check: Committed 2027s to track and the latest on top 2028 recruits in the Sunshine State
Inside Texas: Recruiting Humidor: Texas hosting 4-star targets Isaiah Taylor, Ridge James, new names headed to Austin soon
Inside Texas: No. 1 edge Asher Ghioto connecting with Texas, setting up Austin trip
SEC SHOWDOWN
Good Bull Hunting: Position Preview: Quarterbacks
Rock M Nation: Fall camp notes and quotes: August 14
And The Valley Shook: QB Joe Burrow reveals what LSU told him about the use of his jersey number
Red Cup Rebellion: 2028 top 100 defensive lineman chooses Ole Miss over LSU, Texas and Alabama
Rocky Top Talk: Where Tennessee turns at safety next following injury to Edrees Farooq
Roll ‘Bama Roll: Predicting the 2026 Alabama Football Season: Tennessee Vols’ QB problem
Dawg Sports: Position Preview: Offensive success could hinge on receivers
A Sea Of Blue: Judge delays ruling on Mark Mitchell transfer portal eligibility until next week
WHAT WE’RE READING
SB Nation: Let’s re-draft the 2022 NFL Draft after 5 years
SB Nation: Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald addresses controversial Terrion Arnold signing
SB Nation: Jayden Daniels’ LSU feud over No. 5 jersey keeps getting more bizarre
NEWS 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