Arkansas safety Jalen Catalon entered the transfer portal Friday afternoon, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg first reported.
Catalon is one of the top safeties in the SEC and immediately one of the top players in the transfer portal. The Mansfield, Texas native spent four years at Arkansas but injuries plagued him the last two seasons.
The 5-foot-10 safety tallied eight tackles in Arkansas’ season opening win over Cincinnati but that was the last game he played in the 2022 season. Catalon played in six games as a junior in 2021 where he recorded 46 total tackles and two interceptions.
Catalon’s best collegiate season was his 2020 campaign without a doubt. Recording 99 tackles, four pass break ups, two forced fumbles and three interceptions, Catalon earned All-SEC First Team honors.
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Tennessee is in desperate need of safety help this offseason. The Vols safety play was poor in 2022 and starter Trevon Flowers is out of eligibility while Jaylen McCollough can utilize a fifth year of eligibility due to NCAA COVID-19 relief, he hasn’t made it clear whether he plans to do so or not.
Whether McCollough returns to Tennessee or not, a healthy Catalon would be the best safety on Tennessee’s roster.
Behind the starters this past season are versatile defensive backs Doneiko Slaughter and Christian Charles in addition to Ohio State transfer Andre Turrentine and freshmen Cameron Miller, Jourdan Thomas and Christian Harrison.
Even if Tennessee actively pursues Catalon, the former three-star recruit will likely have an abundance of suitors across the country.
