Arkansas safety Jalen Catalon has officially entered the transfer portal after making just seven appearances in the past two seasons. The redshirt junior has season-ending surgeries in 2021 and 2022.
Head coach Sam Pittman said earlier Friday that a transfer would be the likely option for Catalon to move forward.
“From my conversation with him this morning, I think he’s probably leaning towards that. I just don’t know if he’s gone in yet,” Pittman said.
Pittman said he thinks Catalonia want a fresh start after missing almost all of this season and half of last year.
The Mansfield, Texas native racked up five interceptions during his four-year career in Arkansas, including a pick-six against Ole Miss in 2020. He has three forced fumbles and a recovery to his credit, along with 159 tackles, 81 of which were solo.
Catalon’s 2020 breakaway season brought him to the The Bharat Express News’ All-SEC first team. The outlet recognized him as a second-team All-American for the following year, during which he made it through six games before needing the first of his two shoulder surgeries.
In the 2022 season opener, the two-year-old captain suffered another shoulder injury in the first half. That marked the end of his junior campaign and, based on Pittman’s conversation with him Friday, the end of his Razorback career.
“I talked to him about if he would leave here, if he wanted my advice I would just sign up for the NFL and give it such a chance,” said Pittman. “But he had a different view on it. Whatever he wants to do, it will be fine.”
