Texas safety Jelani McDonald is back in the spotlight after earning a spot on the preseason Jim Thorpe Award watch list, a recognition that fits the kind of season he just put together for the Longhorns.
McDonald was one of Texas’ most complete defenders in 2025. He started all 13 games and led the team with 80 tackles and three interceptions, a strong blend of range, physicality and ball production for a defensive back. He also added 4.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery.
He wasn’t just making routine stops, either. McDonald put together his biggest numbers at Mississippi State, where he finished with a career-high 14 tackles. The week before at Kentucky, he logged nine solo tackles and two tackles for loss for 12 yards.
His impact showed up in the biggest games, too. McDonald had eight tackles in Texas’ Red River Rivalry win over Oklahoma and then followed that with nine tackles, including six solo stops, in the Longhorns’ 27-17 victory over No. 3 Texas A&M.
The turnovers came across the schedule. McDonald intercepted passes against UTEP, Sam Houston and Arkansas, and he returned the Arkansas pick 11 yards.
That kind of production is exactly why he’s on the Thorpe Award radar. McDonald enters 2026 as a preseason All-SEC Third Team selection, but this watch list nod suggests his ceiling could be even higher.
Texas also has a strong connection to the award. Jahdae Barron won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2024, joining Michael Huff and Aaron Ross as Longhorn winners. With that, Texas now shares the record for the most Thorpe Award winners with LSU and Oklahoma at three apiece.
McDonald now has a chance to add his own name to that list. Semifinalists are set to be announced Oct. 27, with three finalists coming on Nov.
- The winner will be revealed Dec.
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