Thanks To Transfer Portal UNLV Becoming Arkansas West

Former Razorbacks defensive coordinator Odom reaping benefits of relationships made

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Jan 15, 2024 10:07 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - When Barry Odom left Arkansas for an opportunity to become a head coach again, the decision was met with sorrow from the players and other staff members. Odom is viewed by players as a good man and outstanding coach.

If that was every in question, it's certainly apparent considering the turnaround in his first year at UNLV. Relationships he built while in Fayetteville are beginning to show in the transfer portal.

Arkansas has lost 18 scholarship players in the portal during the cycle with three transferring to UNLV. Defensive back LaDarrius Bishop committed to Odom's team Monday night with a picture post on X. Other Razorback defenders headed to the bright lights of Vegas include safety Malik Chavis and linebacker Mani Powell.

While these three didn’t play much last season, they have an opportunity to do so with a step down in competition in the Mountain West Conference. It speak volumes as Odom spent a lot of time with Bishop and Chavis as their position coach.

The flavor doesn't end there as former Razorback and Texas Longhorns' safety Jalen Catalon announced he will also transfer to UNLV on Jan. 6, per his X account. Everyone remembers the breakout year Catalon had as a starter during his redshirt freshman season in 2020. Unfortunately for the Razorbacks, he was plagued with injuries his final two seasons before transferring to Texas in 2023.

Catalon is one of the most acclaimed athletes to commit to the Rebels with 176 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and five interceptions with one being returned for a touchdown. This will be his sixth season of eligibility. One was saved by a COVID year. An extra year with Odom will give him one final chance to prove he still has the NFL potential he flashed in his one big year with the Hogs.

What helps the Runnin' Rebels land quality transfers is playing football in Sin City itself. While Las Vegas was never built on winners outside of Jerry Tarkanian's 1990s basketball teams, the football program has fallen short in the win column. Odom has led complete 180 and many of his former Razorbacks are buying into the rebuild.

A 9-5 season with a berth in the conference championship game has helped Odom land a class currently rank No. 1 in the Mountain West Conference transfer portal rankings. The first time to see the Arkansas Razorbacks 2.0 will be at Houston on Aug. 31.