Four-star safety picks Razorbacks over Texas, TCU, Oklahoma

Jalen Catalon
Jalen Catalon

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas landed one of its top targets for the 2019 class when safety Jalen Catalon announced his oral commitment to the Razorbacks during a ceremony at his school Friday.

Catalon, 5-10, 180 pounds, of Legacy High School in Mansfield, Texas, chose the Razorbacks over Texas, TCU and Oklahoma. He officially visited the four finalists.

He also had scholarship offers from Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford, Florida, Nebraska and others. University of Arkansas Coach Chad Morris' vision helped sell him on the Hogs.

"Arkansas just felt like family," Catalon said. "When I went on my official visit, it just felt like home, and after weighing my options I feel like my best opportunity to grow as a person and as a football player would be at Arkansas. I believe in what Coach Morris has going down there, and I'm expected to get down there and get to work."

Catalon said Morris was consistent throughout the recruiting process.

"He stayed solid," Catalon said. "He never switched up on me. He's always said I was his priority. We've been like family life structure from the get-go."

Morris, defensive coordinator John Chavis, safeties coach Ron Cooper, and lead recruiter and cornerbacks coach Mark Smith had an in-home visit with Catalon on Thursday night after Texas finished its in-home visit.

"Coach Smith is a down-to-earth guy," Catalon said. "I love what he's about. Recruiting me it was never, ever about: 'Come here. Come here.' It was more about: 'How are you doing? How's the family? Hope the injury is going well with you.'

"All the schools were doing that, but with Arkansas overall it was just all that love and care that I just couldn't deny and turn down. Coach Smith is a great guy, and I love his family and I love what he's about."

A consensus four-star prospect by recruiting services, Catalon is also rated a four-star recruit by CBS Sports Network national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming. Landing the safety is a big deal for the Razorbacks, he said.

"He's a major catch, one of the better athletes in the Metroplex," Lemming said. "I was very impressed with him when I saw him a year ago. His junior film was fantastic. Intelligent player who can play corner or safety. Hard hitter who loves to stick his nose into the action. Terrific range and instincts."

Catalon is the Razorbacks' fourth defensive back commitment or signee to be rated a four-star prospect by various services.

Early enrollees Devin Bush, Greg Brooks Jr. and pledge Adonis Otey are four-star cornerbacks, while defensive back Malik Chavis and safety Myles Brooks are rated three-star recruits.

Legacy Coach Chris Melson has produced Washington Redskins receiver Josh Doctson, the 22nd player taken in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft; former Razorbacks cornerback Tevin Mitchel, who was selected by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 2015 draft; and offensive lineman Rees Odhiambo, who was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

"Well, he's an impactful player on both sides," Melson said of Catalon. "He's just an incredible playmaker when he's out there, and he's the best player we've ever had here."

Catalon made an unofficial visit to Fayetteville in July and an official visit for the Alabama game on Oct. 6 along with two of his teammates and Arkansas signees -- defensive linemen Taurean Carter and Enoch Jackson Jr.

"We always talked about playing with each other, but at the end of the day we had to go where was best for us," Catalon said. "We can reunite. We have the same goals we had here, which was to get on top, and we're going to put Arkansas on top. We believe in that."

Carter ran around the gym with joy after Catalon announced for Arkansas.

"Priceless, priceless, just priceless," Catalon said.

The Hogs' ability to sell him on the program put Arkansas over the top.

"Just what they had to sell," Catalon said. " I just felt comfortable with what they had going on down there, and it just felt like the right place."

Catalon suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first game of his senior season, but as a junior, he was named The Dallas Morning News' All-Area Defensive Player of the Year after recording 101 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles and 5 recovered fumbles.

His rehab from his October surgery is going well.

"I'm about three months, two weeks out," Catalon said. "I just started running, so I'm going to start running for a little while and then once I start progressing to lateral movement, I'll have my brace through all that. I'm ahead of schedule."

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NWA Democrat-Gazette

Arkansas defensive coordinator John Chavis speaks Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, during the annual Kickoff Luncheon at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale.

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AP file photo

Ron Cooper

Sports on 01/19/2019

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