Longhorns S Jalen Catalon Already Emerging As A 'Natural Leader'

With the defense looking to take another step forward, Steve Sarkisian had plenty of praise for Jalen Catalon and Gavin Holmes.

If you watched Texas on defense in 2021 and then switched to a game from 2022, the difference between the two seasons is night and day.

In year two under coach Steve Sarkisian the Longhorns held opponents to 21.6 points per game on 368.4 yards of total offense - a notable improvement from his first season when teams averaged 31.1 points per game on 426.4 yards of total offense against Texas.

Now, as the Longhorns enter year three under Sarkisian they do so hoping to take yet another step forward on defense. Returning talent such as linebacker Jaylan Ford will undoubtedly help in that pursuit. 

As well, Sarkisian is excited about the addition of via safety Jalen Catalon via the transfer portal. 

"(Jalen) Catalon is a natural leader," Sarkisian said. "You know, we're in winter conditioning and he's coaching guys on the side on specific drills, and why we're doing the drills."

"That's what we were hopeful we would be getting - a little bit more vocal in the backend and a little bit more confident player to play the style we want to play."

Catalon wasn't the only defensive back the Longhorns added via the transfer portal, though, with cornerback Gavin Holmes set to play a large part in the secondary this season.

"You love experience in the backend and we felt like that was something we needed," Sarkisian said. "Gavin (Holmes) was a high-level player at Wake Forest, you see his confidence already on the field."

The addition of Holmes and Catalon marks the second and third transfer portal adds to the defensive backfield, as they join cornerback Ryan Watts who transferred from Ohio State ahead of last season.

For a defense that held opponents to 242.7 yards per game through the air, adding two elite playmakers in Holmes and Catalon is the cherry on top of a delicious sundae. 

All that's left is to get through spring and summer practices and see just how elite this Texas secondary can be. 

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @C onnorjz98

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