Jalen Catalon
Jalen Catalon  S  Texas | NFL Draft 2024 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Jalen Catalon
Height
5-10
Weight
201
College
Texas
Position
S
Class
Junior
Home town
Mansfield, TX
82.5/100
Player Rating
27
PositionRank (DB)
4.5
FortyYD Time
Interceptions
Interception YDS
Passes Defensed
Tackles
11
Sol tackles
9

Jalen Catalon S Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Jalen Catalon S Texas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Last Updated: 05/10/2023
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*)
Age: 22.6 DOB: 03/15/2001
Measurables:
Height: 5-10 (10%*) Weight: 201 (34%*)
Forty: 4.50 (O) (73%*) Shuttle: 4.25 (HS) (37%*)
Vertical: 32.5 (HS) (11%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
*Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance).
Last Updated: 05/10/2023
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*)
Age: 22.6 DOB: 03/15/2001
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 5-10 (10%*) Weight: 201 (34%*)
Forty: 4.50 (O) (73%*) Shuttle: 4.25 (HS) (37%*)
Vertical: 32.5 (HS) (11%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
*Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance).
Overall Rating: 82.5 / 100
Game performance weighted rating
QB Rating When targeted: 85.1
Tackling:
56%
Run Defense:
63%
Coverage:
66%
Zone:
68%
Man/Press:
63%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 5th
Overall Rank: #135 Position rank: #27
College Games: 23 College Snaps: 1263
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 80/100
College Combine Results
OVR Rank: #56 Pos Rank: #28 State Rank: #42
College Combine Results
Grade: 247 Sports 4  Stars 247 Sports 91 Stars 247 RATING: 91/100
Ovr Rank: #23 Pos Rank: #29
Grade: 4 Stars 4 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
Draft Profile: Bio
Jalen Catalon attended Mansfield Legacy High School and was rated a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports with a scout's rating of 0.900, going unranked by ESPN Following high school, Catalon opted to join Arkansas.

In 2019 as a freshman Catalon saw action in 3 games and played on a total of 33 snaps for the Razorbacks. He recorded 4 tackles, 2 assists, while adding 2 stops. In coverage, Catalon notched up one pass break up, no interceptions and a QB rating when targetted of .0.

As a sophomore for the Razorbacks in 2020 Catalon played in 10 games and took part on 712 snaps for the Razorbacks. He made 75 tackles, 24 assists, and had 19 stops. In coverage, Catalon totaled 5 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 83.8.

In 2021 as a junior Catalon played in 6 games and contributed on 391 snaps. He chalked up 36 tackles, 11 assists, and added 9 stops. In the secondary Catalon forced 3 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and gave up a QB rating when targetted of 21.7.

In 2022 as a senior Catalon saw action in one game while playing 43 snaps. He logged only 6 tackles, 2 assists, and made one stop. In coverage, Catalon had no pass breakups, no interceptions, and surrendered a solid QB rating when targetted of 88.9.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Flashes impressive closing speed when attacking the ball.
  • Aware in the red zone, stays on the back line to take away fade throws. Capable of making quarterbacks pay for late throws.
  • Twitchy player with fluid hips, shows short-area quickness able to cover well in man-to-man coverage against slot receivers
  • Good instincts and anticipation reads and reacts with discipline. Dangerous with the ball in his hands.
  • Smart player who understands the nuances of coverage schemes
  • Closes to the ball quite well and possesses the hands to snatch throws away from his frame.
  • Really solid tackler and doesn't get run through by RBs
  • Very solid in coverage and has shown the ability to outmuscle receivers for the ball
  • Aware zone cornerback who is also adept in man coverage, flashing physical hand punch at the line and straight-line speed to stay with receivers downfield.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Has tense ankles and hips with choppy footwork when attempting to redirect and doesn't always look natural changing directions.
  • Lacks ideal size and is quite short for the safety spot.
  • The 2018 injury may be a question mark for NFL teams - missed nearly the entire senior year with an ACL tear
  • Inconsistent getting off of blocks. Can be a step slow to react when a quarterback comes back to his side of the field late in progression.
  • Needs to tighten his angles in pursuit. Needs to show better tackling technique to consistently finish.
  • Has a high backpedal and loses a step in transition. Plays with adequate speed but there are concerns about his ability to handle the truly explosive speedsters of the NFL.
  • Quite inexperienced - has played only 19 games as of writing
Scouting Report: Summary
Before the 2021 season Catalon was a slam dunk first-round pick in our mind - he'd put up great numbers while consistently dominating and improving each and every season. Then came 2021 where he's looked a little off and has been less fluid and instinctive than in previous seasons.

There is also an injury issue with Catalon which is magnified by the fact he's a bit of a thumper and undersized for the position - which will make NFL teams slightly wary of taking him with a super high pick. However, we think 2021 was probably the exception and he should he be able to recapture his 2020 form so long as he's not rushed into action too soon.
He's likely viewed as a low second-round pick come the 2023 NFL Draft.

How other scouting services rate Jalen Catalon (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
120.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
27.0