I routinely install SATA SSDs in external USB 3.0 enclosures, so the Samsung T5 should be fine.
- Which version of Clover is currently installed? Clover version appears on screen each time during boot.
- If it’s older than 4961, consider updating it on the clone SSD (on the Samsung T5) before starting the Catalina upgrade.
- Also try adding “-v” or verbose flag to Clover Configurator —> Boot Arguments.
- When all else fails, attempt a fresh installation of Catalina on the Samsung T5 (or install fresh copy of Mojave 10.14.6 on the Samsung T5 and then attempt the upgrade).