Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron has never lacked confidence.

“I believe I’m the best DB in the world,” Barron said the week of the Vanderbilt game.

Barron is also quietly one of the best students of the game itself.

The senior from Austin appeared on The Paul Finebaum Show on Thursday and spoke at length about how much he’s studied Jim Thorpe’s athletic history, his love of speaking to area youth and getting ready for the season’s stretch run.

Barron has been named Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist each of the last two years. And while most simply know the Thorpe Award goes to the nation’s best defensive back. Few actually take the time to learn about who Thorpe was and his contribution to the game of football.

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“Yeah, I have a book. I know that he played pro baseball and football, things like that,” Barron told Finebaum. “And he was the first Native American to win Olympic gold medal.

“So just knowing those things, and then knowing that Michael Huff, he wore this burnt orange and he had a legacy,” Barron continued, referring to one of the best defensive backs in Texas history. “It’s not only to match his legacy what he did on the field but to always carry myself off the field with the same level of respect for people and things like that.

“I mean, it’s a harder world now, and I know the team success brings player accolades. So just just trying to compete and do what I can for the team and to put myself in position to win.”

Why Texas HC Steve Sarkisian thinks Jahdae Barron made a smart, life-changing decision about his NFL future

Barron didn’t like his NFL Draft grades last offseason. Now he’s anywhere from a late first to third-round pick.

Finebaum asked about Barron’s recent trip to Austin Travis High School. Barron spoke about his own journey to Texas. He was an Austin native who became a high school All-American ranked among the top 50 cornerbacks nationally in the class of 2020.

“Those guys are playing high school football right now, so I try to harp on them not to take anything for granted, because it could be gone in the split of a second,” Barron said. “I’m just thankful for the opportunity I have and the opportunity I have to be able to stay in Austin, Texas, and play in front of my hometown and things like that. So it's just always good to go out there and talk to those young cats.”

The sixth-ranked Longhorns (7-1, 3-1 SEC) are idle this weekend. Texas returns to action next week against Florida on Nov. 9.

Asked if planned on watching this weekend’s Cocktail Party between Florida and Georgia, the noted film-hound said, “You know, I’m always watching. I’m a film junkie, so I'll be out there and get some of the boys. We'll watch the game and things like that, and just take notes.”

Barron said his teammates are not getting bogged down with College Football Playoff talk. They’re only focused on the Gators.

“Just keeping the main thing, the main thing, and just being where your feet is at,” Barron said. “So right now, we’re giving them all full respect to Florida, and we have to go out there and handle Florida at 11 a.m. kickoff in DKR in front of our amazing fans.”