Jalen Catalon. Simeon Blair. Jayden Johnson. Latvious Brini.
Get used to those names.
Arkansas’ top four safeties may truly be the deepest group in the SEC. That, in turn, makes them one of the deepest units in the country.
Consider it. Jalen Catalon is two seasons removed from Freshman All-American honors and was a preseason All-SEC first-teamer this year. Brini was a starter for last year’s national champion Georgia. Blair and Johnson both earned starts for the 9-4 Hogs last year. As a foursome, they can cover and tackle just about anything that’s coming their way.
Blair’s rise has been especially magical. He arrived to the team as a walk on from Pine Bluff five years ago. Defensive coordinator Barry Odom has witnessed the last three years of his growth.
“If I can talk him into it, he is going to be an unbelievable coach when football is over for him. He’s got a great understanding of the game,” Odom said. “He’s a terrific leader. He’s got the passion and the competitive spirit of the way you’re supposed to play the game. I trust him.”
Johnson could be the team’s breakout player in the back. At 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds, he has the prototypical build for the position. Even as a freshman last year, he was 13th on the team in tackles, largely playing a reserve role.
“He can play a lot of spots,” Odom said. “He can play any of the safety spots, he can play the nickel position, so that’s going to help him and help us as a defense, for sure.”
Catalon is the known quantity and Brini brings the winning pedigree. All together, they may be the best group on the whole roster.
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