ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — When Broncos first-round pick Jahdae Barron returned to Texas for his final season, he returned to high expectations placed literally on his shoulders.
Barron received permission from former All-American safety and national champion Michael Huff to wear No. 7 in 2024, and he embraced the pressure wearing that jersey created for his final year in Austin.
"I knew it wasn't just an on-the-field thing," Barron said Friday at his introductory press conference. "It was off the field on how Michael carried himself. And the whole nine [yards]."
A Jim Thorpe Award winner and top-10 pick, Huff set a high standard for Barron — and the newest Denver Bronco appreciated the challenge.
"I knew it was a lot of weight on me, but it's good to have weight," Barron said. "It's good to have that. You have to own it, and I think I owned it to my full ability."
Barron earned his own Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back, and on Thursday he became the second cornerback off the board behind only Colorado's dual-threat player Travis Hunter.
The ability to reach that lofty standard comes, in part, from Barron's internal drive and self-evaluation.
"I'm a big goals guy," Barron said. "I write goals every single day. And all my goals that I have, I look in the mirror every single day and I read them out. And if I don't hit them, I have to hold myself accountable for those things. Because at the end of the day, I can control it. I can control my destiny, and I can control the controllables."
As he joins the Broncos, Barron told DenverBroncos.com he will embrace the expectations of being a first-round pick in the same way that he aimed to live up to Huff's standard. And while Barron spoke often Friday about being grateful to be with the Broncos, he also still carries a high degree of motivation.
"I'm ready," Barron said, "and I'm willing to go to war every single day and just improve every single day."
That grind and dedication will be necessary as Barron looks to contribute to a defense that is set to face quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow and a slew of other high-caliber players in 2025. As the Broncos aim their sights high, Barron again relishes the chance to embrace the pressure that comes with facing other elite players.
"That's why you come here at the next level," Barron told DenverBroncos.com. "Embrace it. We're playing on a big stage to glorify God. So why not go out there and compete with guys that you know around the world? Just to have fun, just to truly enjoy the moment and to get your best. When you're playing somebody good and they're playing somebody good, you're going to bring out the best in one another. That's what the NFL is for. I'm part of a great organization. I'm going to make Broncos Country proud, and I can't wait."
In college, Barron welcomed expectations — and delivered his best football in the process. In Denver, he'll aim to do the same.
