Highly-recruited safety has trips planned to Arkansas

Mansfield, Texas, Legacy four-star safety Jalen Catalon hasn’t been to Fayetteville, but still has the Razorbacks high on his list and he’s coming in July.

Catalon is planning an unofficial visit July 27, which will be a summer cookout.

“I am just looking at the way the bond is over there,” Catalon said. “I am looking at how the atmosphere looks. I probably won’t get in the academics side of it that much, but I want to see how their communications department is because I want to major in that. So I want to see the academics side of things.

“I am wanting to see how the coaches’ vibe is over there. I have heard it is a beautiful place and I heard its great people over there. So I am ready for me and my family to get there and I’m excited and think it will be a great visit.”

But don’t expect a commitment until January from the highly-recruited safety.

“No sir,” Catalon said. “I am going to stay solid and commit to my school of choice in January. There is no certain date set yet. I’m just really looking to see what I’m looking for in a college and to make sure me and my family feel comfortable at the school I choose to go to.

“From what I hear about Arkansas its a great place to be at and I feel like Arkansas is heading in the right direction and (Chad) Morris is doing great things with his staff and I’m ready to get up there and see what it is all about.”

Catalon has set his official visit to Arkansas in October on a fairly busy weekend.

“I will visit October 6 for the Alabama game,” Catalon said. “The place will be rocking. I think Arkansas has a chance. I really like what Coach Chad Morris is doing and I am ready to see them play Alabama. It will definitely be an exciting time.”

The feeling of a family is what has Catalon’s attention right now from Morris and the Hogs’ coaching staff.

“It is hard for me to tell since I have never been there,” Catalon said. “I can say from the recruiting aspect of things I can feel the family side and the consistency of things. The only thing I see different is how they recruit. I feel a family type of vibe at Arkansas and they are going to take care of you like family.

“Arkansas looks more high on me and they have multiple coaches checking on me consistently. The family side of it separates Arkansas from the rest of the schools.”

He’s also looking at some other schools and the Razorbacks are going up against some teams, but holding their own, especially with Catalon.

“My top eight all are great schools and have kept it real with me,” he said. “TCU and Texas are good schools. Oklahoma and Coach (Lincoln) Riley and Ohio State had a great vibe and I liked how the coaches kept it real with me. Alabama was a great visit and how I liked it there and Clemson was a great school. One of the nicest campuses I have been to and liked how the coaches took care of me.

“I am ready to see what Arkansas has to offer and ready to get all my questions answered.”

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Catalon feels one of his biggest assets as a player is a willingness to learn and keep working to get better.

“I would say my strength is in patience,” Catalon said. “I am willing to learn more about the game and it all comes down to the mindset. I mean, I got the talent but there is much more than that and you have to know the game and work on your mindset. I am working on my speed and working on hips and being more consistent. I really think that is what I am working on this summer.”

Catalon is being recruited by Arkansas at safety.

“Coach Morris and Coach (Mark) Smith are my lead recruiters right now,” Catalon said. “Coach (Ron) Cooper and Coach (John) Chavis are also on me. But mainly Coach Morris and Coach Smith really stay on me.”

Catalon spoke highly of Morris and Smith, the defensive backs coach.

“I have a great relationship with Coach Morris,” Catalon said. “He has been recruiting me since SMU. So that relationship was easy to carry over and he kept it real with me. I am ready to see what Arkansas is like. I love what Coach Morris does and I think Arkansas has great future for them.

“Coach Smith is the same way and they want me on the hill and Coach Chavis and Cooper are the same way. The way they recruit is amazing. They make sure everything is okay like me and my family and really care and I cant wait to get on the hill.”

Catalon’s top eight schools are Texas, Clemson, TCU, Arkansas, Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.

He has over 23 offers.