Arkansas DB Jalen Catalon Commits To Longhorns

The Longhorns have landed a potentially massive commitment from former Arkansas defensive back Jalen Catalon

Matt Galatzan | Jan 9, 2023

Former star Arkansas Razorbacks safety Jalen Catalon, who entered the NCAA Transfer Portal this month after four years in Fayetteville, has committed to the Texas Longhorns, he announced on Monday.

Catalon took a visit to the 40 Acres in late December/early January and was reportedly down to the Longhorns, Texas A&M, Purdue and Ole Miss.

He is now the second addition to the secondary via the transfer portal for the Horns, joining Wake Forest cornerback, Gavin Holmes.

Catalon spent four years with the Razorbacks but played in just seven games in the past two seasons due to injury. He had eight total tackles and a pass defense in Arkansas' 40-21 win over Texas last season.

In 18 games with the Razorbacks, Catalon was all over the field, racking up 159 tackles, nine passes defended, five interceptions, and three forced fumbles in 18 games.

Catalon has suffered from multiple shoulder injuries over the last two seasons, but when healthy, had proved himself to be one of the best safeties in the SEC.

Before his injury issues began Catalon had 99 tackles three interceptions and two forced fumbles in the 2020 season and was named an All-SEC first-team player.

If Catalon can remain healthy in Austin, he could provide a massive boost to the Longhorns' secondary.

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Published Jan 9, 2023

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns In SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writer’s Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014 covering the Dallas Mavericks with the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com for 247Sports. He then moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki, ex Longhorns Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, FOX News and former ESPN host Will Cain, as well as countless other recruits and former players for each of the teams he has covered. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.