While Calen Bullock is a part-time starter, he’s proven to be a full-time ball hawk in the Houston Texans secondary.
The playmaking safety from USC has consistently caught the coaches’ attention at practice and throughout the preseason thanks to his range, closing speed and newfound physicality.
In the Hall of Fame game, Bullock caused a fumble at midfield against tight end Tommy Sweeny.
A week later versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, he almost made a diving interception after tracking the ball for 30 yards in the air.
Those types of moments have been a common theme in practice. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has come away impressed with Bullock’s steady growth as a third-round pick.
“Calen did what he’s done every day in training camp,” Ryans said last week. “He went and took the football.”
That “football” became a statement moment for Houston in Sunday’s 29-27 win over the Colts. Indianapolis was driving heading into halftime as Anthony Richardson looked to give his team a four-point lead entering the second quarter.
Texans S Calen Bullock snags an interception in his first NFL game
📺: #HOUvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/ksQ2GgpRAU— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Richardson overshot tight end Kylen Granson on a crossing route, giving Bullock enough time to read and react before the ball touched the ground. He dove, scooping the passing with his chest to record his first career interception.
“Not many rookie safeties have done that — get an interception in their debut game — and Calen can add his name to the list,” Ryans said Wednesday afternoon. “It wasn’t surprising to me, and that’s why we want to get him on the field. Because he has such a great knack for finding the football and actually coming down with it and making game-changing plays.”
Bullock, who totaled nine interceptions during his three seasons at USC, now faces a test that could bode well in his favor. The Chicago Bears enter NRG Stadium for the Texans’ home opener, headlined by No. 1 overall pick and former Heisman winner Caleb Williams.
Bullock, who graded out as Pro Football Focus’ highest-ranked rookie in Week 1 (82.3), remembers facing Williams in practice out in the California heat. He knows what Williams’ peak looks like, but also mentioned there were times when he’d come away with the turnover during team drills.
“He can do it all,” Bullock said. “This game, we’re trying to keep that boy in the pocket. Once he gets outside the pocket, he tries to make things happen. Most times, he makes things happen.”
Highest Graded Week 1 Rookie:
⭐️ Calen Bullock, HOU: 82.3@uscfb pic.twitter.com/VQBoH847NQ
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 10, 2024
The Texans have an inside track on continuing Williams, who struggled in his debut against the Tennessee Titans. The two were close out in Los Angeles, often talking about their futures and how they planned to build off their college careers in the pros.
This week, Bullock won’t talk to his former Trojan teammate. He said he’s blocked Williams to prepare for the primetime game and expects plenty of trash-talking between the two when either side steps up and delivers.
It’s all fun and games at the end of the day. The two will embrace when the clock hits zero and will head back to the locker room with another game under their belt.
Players commonly trade jerseys following the game, but Bullock said his first home jersey isn’t leaving his locker,
Former USC and #Texans DB Calen Bullock on what makes No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams special. pic.twitter.com/QdTLaEKyCS
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) September 11, 2024
“I’ll send him one after the game, but I’m not trading jerseys,” Bullock laughed.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.
