Not a transfer. Add a stint to track portal history.
High School Offers 8
Arkansas
Colorado State
Oklahoma State
Ole Miss
SMU
TCU
Texas
Texas Tech
SCOUTSZN
Scouting Report
July 29, 2026
Jelani McDonald #4
Texas · SAF · Sr · 2027 Draft
· Waco, Texas · Connally
6-2 · 200 lbs
8.3
Day 2 Caliber
Floor 7.9 · Ceiling 8.9
#68 overall · #6 SAF of 15102
Scouting Verdict
Homegrown Texas safety who spent two years earning the job and then owned it — 33 tackles in 2024 gave way to a full-blown breakout in 2025, 80 stops with three interceptions across 13 games as the Longhorns' primary run-support defender in the box. He plays downhill with intent, triggers fast on the run fit, and the pick production shows he can turn and locate the ball when asked to carry vertical routes, a rare combination for a safety built to hit. He turned down a 2026 exit to return, a bet on his own arrow. However, the ball-skill sample is still building — three picks in a breakout year is promising, not yet proven — and the tape needs to show he can hold up in true man coverage against SEC slots, not just fill and tackle. A high-end recruit whose production finally matches the pedigree; a Day 1 starter with the traits to grade into Day 2 of the 2027 class if the coverage reps confirm the range.
Ceiling · 8.9
Projected 2026 starter (DB1) — real opportunity to climb; close to ceiling (+0.6) · up-year team.