Former Arkansas DB transferring to Barry Odom's UNLV team after season at Texas
Former Arkansas DB Jalen Catalon is on the move again. After a season at Texas, Catalon will use his final year of NCAA eligibility playing for a familiar face.
On Saturday, Catalon announced that he is transferring to UNLV. Barry Odom, who served as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator from 2020-22, is entering his second season as UNLV’s head coach.
Jeremiah 29:11
Let’s work❤️ pic.twitter.com/jqLET18jQv— Jalen Catalon (@jcatalon27) January 7, 2024
Catalon had a standout 2020 season, earning first-team All-SEC recognition. A finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, Catalon recorded 99 tackles, including 2 for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 4 pass breakups and 3 interceptions in 10 games. Since then, however, he has not played double-digit games in a season.
In 2021, Catalon played in 6 games for the Razorbacks before he was sidelined by a shoulder injury. Catalon dealt with another shoulder injury in the 2022 season opener and had to have surgery.
At Texas, Catalon played in just 8 games during the 2023 season. He played in the first 6 contests, making 4 starts, before suffering a lower-leg injury in the Oklahoma game on Oct. 7. Catalon did not return to action until Nov. 18.
A healthy Catalon can be an impact player. Hopefully, he can end his college career on a high note, reuniting with Odom.