While LSU has added nine players via the transfer portal, the Tigers shouldn't be and are most likely not done improving the roster. The Tigers still have a few massive needs with the two biggest needs being at Safety and on the offensive line. At safety, LSU loses Major Burns as he's out of eligibility while Jordan Allen transferred to Houston and Sage Ryan is in the portal.
The Tigers have been after a few safeties hosting Zechariah Poyser who has since committed to Miami and USF Transfer Tawfiq Byard who is still taking visits to a few other schools. The transfer safety that should instantly jump to the top of LSU's board is UNLV Transfer Jalen Catalon who entered the portal on Thursday.
UNLV star safety Jalen Catalon has entered the transfer portal, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @cbssports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 19, 2024
Catalon, who played at Texas and Arkansas before UNLV, posted 96 tackles and five interceptions this year at UNLV.https://t.co/10Sz3YxlzO pic.twitter.com/i9OGpGMx0Q
Catalon waited until after his teams Bowl Game to enter the transfer portal which is very respectable in today's era of the Transfer Portal. This season for UNLV, Catalon racked up 96 tackles, 5 interceptions, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and 5 pass defenses.
Prior to landing at UNLV, Catalon was a four-star recruit out of Texas and signed with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Catalon started 16 games for the Razorbacks appearing in 21 recording 159 tackles, 5 interceptions, 14 pass defenses, and three forced fumbles.
After Arkansas, Catalon transferred back home to Texas where he spent the 2023 season, starting four games recording 17 tackles and a forced fumble before suffering an injury which kept him out the rest of the way.
Catalon is a physical player who isn't afraid to come in and lay a massive hit on wide receivers which Kayshon Boutte learned in 2020. He flies around the field and is able to quickly react to what the offense is doing in part due to his experience. In coverage, Catalon is at his best while in zone while he's not an issue if played in man coverage.
Continues to be a bad year for SEC officiating. At least two bad calls in the Arkansas-LSU game today, including the targeting call on this one that led to the ejection of one of Arkansas’ top players — Jalen Catalon.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 21, 2020
pic.twitter.com/Dct43Ee42A
Its too early to tell where Catalon is eyeing yet but, keep an eye on Purdue as Catalon has been with Barry Odom for several years.