Nate Allen

FAYETTEVILLE - Jalen Catalon’s spectacular 2020 campaign as a Razorbacks redshirt freshman safety has netted him among the dozen finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, involved in the award that postseason on Jan. 7 honors the nation’s outstanding defensive back, announced Catalon among the 12 finalists Monday.Catalon’s 89 tackles for the 3-6 Razorbacks, minus not playing the first half last Saturday against Missouri because of a targeting penalty that from the second half of Arkansas’ previous game against LSU, leads all freshmen in the FBS (the top level Football Bowl Subdivision).  His  stats include two tackles for losses, four pass breakups, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and three interceptions, one returned for a 35-yard touchdown in a 33-21 victory over Ole Miss.Catalon is the only 2020 player with both three interceptions and and surpassing 85 tackles.