Longhorns Not Taking Away SAF Jalen Catalon's 'Stinger' In Camp
The Texas Longhorns have cornerbacks Ryan Watts and Jahdae Barron and safety Jerrin Thompson, but Arkansas transfer safety Jalen Catalon has brought energy to the Forty Acres in fall camp.
Catalon has played in just seven games over the past two seasons due to injuries with his latest resulting in reconstructive shoulder surgery. Known as a hard-hitting safety, it could be assumed that Catalon's play style is to blame for his injury issues, but head coach Steve Sarkisian said it is having a "real impact" on the Longhorns.
"His style of play is innate in him," Sarkisian said. "He is very intentional with his work. He's got a high level of intensity and mental focus. He communicates on a really high level. When he knows, he goes, and that's a great trait not just for him but for other guys to see of a style of play in the secondary."
The Mansfield, TX. native has had just one full season to showcase his talents, racking up 99 tackles, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and four pass break-ups in 10 games with the Razorbacks in 2020. Each of those stat totals, aside from pass break-ups, would have been the most of any player in the Longhorns' secondary.
Keeping Catalon on the field is of the utmost importance because his play-making ability is evident. Texas is doing that in fall camp, having Catalon alternate between being a full-contact or no-contact participant each day, Sarkisian said.
Sarkisian said there's "no question" he has the talent to be an every-down player.
"I am not concerned about Jalen Catalon come week one hitting somebody," Sarkisian said. "That is in his DNA, and so we just got to manage it as we get ourselves to the season. I don't want to take his stinger from him, so we'll manage it on our own. When we give him the green light to go play, we want him to play the way he's accustomed to playing."
You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419
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