Preseason watchlists are no strangers to Arkansas Football, especially when it comes to DB [autotag]Jalen Catalon[/autotag] and LB [autotag]Bumper Pool[/autotag].
Both athletes have their names listed on an abundance of preseason award watch lists, but it appears that Catalon and Pool will have to compete for the most recent award that they are early candidates for, the Bronko Nagurski Award.
The Nagurski Award is given annually to the nation’s top defensive player and is given by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. According to the Charlotte Touchdown Club, the award is given to complement the Heisman Trophy, since it is a rare occurrence that a defensive player wins the award.
Pool returns to Arkansas for his fifth season, accepting the extra season of eligibility awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic that altered the 2020 schedule. He led the team in tackles last season with 125, and has made 349 stops in his career as a Razorback.
So far this preseason, Pool has been named Preseason All-SEC First Team, as well as Preseason All-American Second Team by Phil Steele, and was recently named to the watch list for the Dick Butkus Award.
Catalon is preparing for a comeback after suffering a season-ending injury during the sixth game of the season in 2021. Prior to his injury, Catalon made 46 stops with two interceptions. Catalon was recently named to the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award.
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