LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV senior safety Jalen Catalon (Mansfield, TX) was named to the AP All-America Third Team on Monday.
 
Catalon, who transferred to UNLV from the University of Texas this year, made the most of his lone season in Las Vegas. A Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist and First Team All-Mountain West selection, he heads into Wednesday's bowl game ranking third in the nation with five interceptions and is among the top 35 nationally in solo tackles. He leads the MW in interception return yards, including a pick-six in the season-opening win at Houston, and was a two-time MW Defensive Player of the Week honoree. Catalon's 89 total tackles include five TFL and a key forced fumble that helped the Rebels win at Oregon State.
 
Catalon is only the second UNLV defensive back ever named AP All-America, joining UNLV Athletics Hall of Famer Jamaal Brimmer, who was also Third Team in 2004.
 
The Rebels, ranked 24th in the nation, will play in back-to-back bowls for the first time in program history when they face Cal in the Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk at SoFi Stadium.