WholeHogSports – Safety target to announce his option Friday

Security and University of Arkansas target Jalen Catalon will reveal his college choice Friday at his high school gym.

Catalon, 5-10, 180 pounds, of Mansfield (Texas) Legacy, will choose from amongst Arkansas, Texas, TCU and Oklahoma at 3:15 p.m. He also had scholarship deals from Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, Nebraska and numerous others.

He suffered a season-ending knee injury in the very first game of his senior season against Jenks, Okla. As a junior, he was named The Dallas Morning News‘s All-Area Defensive Player of the Year after tape-recording 101 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles and 5 recuperated fumbles.

He likewise started at quarterback and passed for 1,122 backyards and 15 touchdowns while hurrying for 1,064 yards and 13 goals to lead the Broncos to the 5A Division II state semifinals.

National hiring analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network rates Catalon a four-star prospect.

“He was among the more aggressive protective backs I saw last year,” Lemming stated of Catalon’s junior season. “He has an excellent football IQ and impulses and ability to move that you look for in a defensive back.”

He visited Fayetteville for the Wooo Pig Nic occasion that saw many top potential customers on the Arkansas school in July. 2 of his teammates, defensive linemen Taurean Carter and Enoch Jackson Jr., signed with the Hogs in December.

Catalon was called The Associated Press’ Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year and the Texas Sports Writers Association Class 5A Defensive MVP as a sophomore after taping 196 tackles, 10 interceptions, 7 takes on for loss, 7 pass separations, 3 required fumbles and a recovered fumble.

The three high school teammates officially went to Fayetteville for the Alabama game in October.

Coach Chad Morris, protective coordinator John Chavis, securities coach Ron Cooper, and lead recruiter and cornerbacks coach Mark Smith will make an at home visit to Catalon on Thursday night. Catalon stated TCU and Texas are also making at home check outs, but he’s uncertain when.

Lemming says Catalon has what’s required to be a top flight security in college.

“His motor never stops. He’s a tenacious and hard gamer with great range,” Lemming stated. “He reveals an outstanding closing burst.”

ESPN rates him a four-star hire, the No. 13 safety and the No. 222 overall possibility for the Class of 2019.

Sending out a team

Arkansas made a strong declaration to running back dedication A’Montae Spivey when the offensive personnel invested most of Monday with him and finished it up with a dinner at a local restaurant.

Offensive organizer Joe Craddock, associate head coach and running backs coach Jeff Traylor, offensive line coach Dustin Fry, tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. and receivers coach Justin Stepp made the journey to Alabama.

Spivey, 6-1, 207 pounds, 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Phenix City (Ala.) Central, dedicated to the Hogs on Aug. 6 after holding scholarship deals from LSU, Purdue, Cincinnati and others.

He included an offer from Ole Miss on Nov. 18 and has plans to formally go to Oxford on Jan. 26. He and his moms and dads formally checked out the Hogs for the Alabama game in October.

Spivey helped the Red Devils to a 14-0 record and the Class 7A state title this past season. He rushed 183 times for 1,363 backyards and 18 goals prior to the title video game.

Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com!.?.! Sports on 01/15/2019