‘Big-time play, cool to see the energy, ready for the moment,’ Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock forces fumble

CANTON, Ohio – Calen Bullock reacted fast, driving his legs and timing the force of his hit for maximum impact.

As the Texans’ rookie safety delivered the blow to Chicago Bears tight end Tommy Sweeney, he stuck his shoulder for a big pop to dislodge the football. The forced fumble in his first NFL game Thursday night represented more than one tackle. It showed that Bullock has been working hard on his tackling form after acknowledging that he needed to improve in that area.

Bullock celebrated the big hit a bit too much as the football skipped near him. Potentially, he could have recovered the fumble instead of the Bears’ offense if he had maintained his concentration through the echo of the whistle.

Nonetheless, it was an outstanding debut for the third-round draft pick from USC in the Hall of Fame game.

“With Calen, I was very pleased with how he showed up,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “When it came to tackling, very – a few physical plays that he made tackling everybody. And of course, seeing the one where he forced a fumble. Big-time play by him, would’ve loved seeing him get on the football there and not celebrate, but really it was cool to see the energy that he brought to the game.]

“It was cool to see that the moment wasn’t too big for him. He was ready for the moment. He played a physical brand of football. It’s what we ask from everybody on our defense. And he showed that. So, I was very pleased with his first outing as a Texan. And it’s a lot there to continue to build on, so excited to work with him.”

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There’s a lot of opportunities in front of the Pasadena, Calif, native. And that chance to prove himself started anew Thursday night on a national stage in the NFL Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears.

Roaming the secondary in a recent practice session, Bullock moved quickly and correctly as he applied tight coverage against Texans rookie tight end Cade Stover.

One of the taller safeties in the league, Bullock wasn’t fooled on a bootleg play and was on top of a throw intended for wide receiver John Metchie III.

After intercepting nine passes in college, Bullock is now plying his trade for the Texans as the converted cornerback challenges for playing time behind veteran safeties Jimmie Ward, Jalen Pitre and Eric Murray. Pitre is primarily playing nickel at training camp with Murray taking his place with the first-team defense. Bullock has also taken some snaps with the first-team defense.

“Yeah, I think I’m learning,” Bullock said before the Hall of Fame game. “I picked up on the defense pretty quick, especially coming from OTAs, now in camp. Now, I just go out there and I play comfortable knowing the calls and it helps me play fast.”

Playing in the NFL is a huge difference from his collegiate experience. Bullock has to line up against shifty receivers and big, athletic tight ends. He’s learning on the job and adjusting on the fly. It’s an adjustment.

“I would probably just say the speed,” Bullock said. “The speed of the NFL is totally different than college, of course. So, that’s the only difference there is. But at the end of the day, football is football.”

At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with 4.48 speed in the 40-yard dash, Bullock is a rangy third-round draft pick from USC with a proven track record for picking off passes.

He wants to continue to hone his tackling skills.

“My first year, I hope people see what I bring to the table,” Bullock said. “I’m a very good player. I’m very versatile. A lot of people, they question me about the physical par. This whole offseason, I’ve been getting stronger, putting on weight.

“That’s been my focus going into the season. I think people think you’re supposed to make every single tackle, but I’ve been working to be more consistent. I’m going to go out there and play my game. I know what I’m capable of.”

Since being drafted by the Texans, Bullock has been absorbing a lot of advanced knowledge from his coaches and teammates.

“It’s been good,” Bullock said. “I got to learn from the older dudes, be around my rookie class. We all connected. Those older dudes took us under their wings and taught us their game. It’s been good transferring to the next level...

“Yeah, I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot with the safeties. Those guys, they’re like big brothers to me. They take me under their wings, they make sure I’m on top of my game and we’re all just close. So, I think I’m in a pretty good spot.”

Training with private coach Jacory Nichols alongside teammates Christian Harris, Jamal Hill and Kamari Lassiter, Bullock spent a lot of extra time before training camp launched to sharpen his skills.

“You want to make sure you get out here and move around, make sure your technique is good, make sure your breaks is good, make sure you’re on top of your game,” Bullock said. “You want to see the other guys, NFL guys, just to take some tips from those guys as well.”

Where Bullock can continue to make strides is in the weight room and becoming a crisper tackler. What he doesn’t lack is talent. There’s a major upside to Bullock who’s off to an encouraging start with the defending AFC South champions as an initial depth piece on defense and an immediate boost to the special teams.

“Calen, another rookie who’s come in and he’s done a really nice job of the communication piece,” Ryans said. “We ask a lot of our safeties and communicating in our defense. And Calen, yeah, he’s picked that up as he’s been here the past couple weeks.

“I know he’ll continue to improve upon his communication skills. But a guy who can roam the backend and go make plays, like he’s shown that. The range that he has, he’s made a couple nice plays out there for us. We see the coverage ability, it’s just him continuing to improve upon his communication.”

Signed to a four-year, $5.856 million contract that includes a $1.079 million signing bonus, Bullock was selected 78th overall as the Texans traded up to the Philadelphia Eagles’ original selection in exchange for the 86th and 123rd overall selections.

Bullock visited the Texans during the draft process. An All-Pac-12 selection, Bullock also visited the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons.

Bullock, a native of Pasadena, Calif., intercepted two passes last season and returned one for a touchdown. He had 61 tackles and seven pass breakups.

“You see just his ball skills, his range back there in the deep half of the field,” Ryans said. “It just stood out. He’s an exceptional playmaker, attacks the ball. That’s what we are about on defense. That’s what Bullock does. That’s what we’re looking for him to do for us.”

As a sophomore, Bullock was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection who intercepted five passes and returned one for a score. He started every game and had 48 tackles and five pass breakups.

In 2021, the converted cornerback was named co-Defensive Perimeter Player of the Year for the Trojans. He had 40 tackles and two interceptions in six starts, including three at free safety, two at nickel and one at corner.

‘I think I bring a lot of versatility,” Bullock told KPRC 2. “The coaches can put me anywhere on the back end, and I can play where they need me to play. I’m very smart, I play fast and I bring lot of versatility on the back end.”

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“His production has been pretty significant,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said after the draft. “He’s rangy. He covers ground, He plays the ball well. He has good movement skills for a safety. He started his career as a corner. Not saying he’s a corner, but he moves well for his size. Honestly, some of his best football probably is in front of him. He needs to get stronger. He’d be the first to tell you that.

“I think there’s some developmental opportunities with him relative to his frame. You are talking about a guy that moves well for his size, plays the ball, is instinctive, is an eraser in the deep part of the field. Has to improve as a tackler, which goes back to improving his playing strength. Hopefully our program will be beneficial to him in that respect. He’s still an ascending player.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.