90. Jalen Catalon: Star in the Making

He’s only been a full-time starter for a year, but Jalen Catalon has already become a fan favorite for his big plays—and even bigger hits. The redshirt freshman is already invoking memories of some of the safeties to ever play for the Razorbacks: Names like Atwater, Kennedy, Hamlin and Bua. And it’s with good reason. Catalon is the first SEC freshman since Eric Berry in 2007 to record at least 86 tackles and three interceptions in a season. And if 2020 was a full, 12-game season, there’d be several freshman records in jeopardy. But, like the season, Catalon’s journey has been anything but normal. Just like at Arkansas, Catalon got off to a fast start at the high school level, setting a school record for tackles in just his third game. He would play both safety and quarterback as a junior, earn Texas defensive player of the year honors, and earn a 4-star ranking. But then, just one game into his senior season, a torn ACL ended his high school career, one which some said could have been among the best in the state’s storied history. It was devastating. Catalon’s ‘why’ is to be one of the best. And if he has his way, this is a story that’s just getting started.