‘That’s the reason we drafted Calen,’ how Texans instinctive rookie safety Calen Bullock is making an impact

HOUSTON – Calen Bullock read the eyes, alerting him immediately to where New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye was going with the football.

And the Texans’ rookie safety pounced, reacting to the overthrow with safety Eric Murray in coverage on wide receiver Demario Douglas for an interception Sunday during a 41-21 victory at Gillette Stadium. He was thinking touchdown, returning the pick 28 yards before Maye tackled him.

“Really just reading the quarterback,” Bullock said. “I see E Murray in coverage on that play and just hoping the quarterback overthrew it and he gave me one. I was focused more than anything staying on my feet. I was trying to go score but, of course, I got tackled by the quarterback.”

It was another moment underscoring the fast start Bullock is off to in his NFL career. Six games into the season for the 5-1 Texans, Bullock is a starter who leads the team in interceptions. He also recovered a fumble against the Patriots. The third-round draft pick from USC has allowed a 50.5 passer rating against him for opposing quarterbacks, allowing three catches for 20 yards and one touchdown on seven targets.

He has lived up to his advance billing as a ballhawking, rangy presence.

“Yeah, Calen shows up every week around the football and that’s the reason we drafted Calen,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He showed that in college and it’s cool to see, like, that’s who Calen is, right? He did it in college and now he’s doing it here in the league. The game isn’t too big for him and he made a ton of plays again, him intercepting the ball, getting the fumble. Very proud of him.”

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A former All-Pac-12 selection and Co-Pac-12 Conference Perimeter Defensive Player of the Year, Bullock, 21, has size, speed and coverage skills working in his favor. He has 19 tackles and just two missed tackles and four passes defensed.

“I think I just need to stay dialed in, stay consistent, keep my head down and keep working,” Bullock said. “Learn every single day from the guys in my room and let them push me every single day. I think I am in a great spot right now. I think I am starting off good and I am just trying to stay consistent now.”

At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with 4.48 speed in the 40-yard dash, Bullock is a rangy defensive back with a proven track record for picking off passes.

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

The native of Pasadena, Calif., intercepted two passes in his final college season and returned one for a touchdown. He had 61 tackles and seven pass breakups.

“It means a lot, especially this being my first year it just shows the potential I have and them believing in me,” Bullock said. “It means a lot for me just to know I have that trust from my coaching staff.”

Bullock intercepted Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson in his first NFL regular-season game, jumping in front of a red-zone pass intended for tight end Kylen Granson in a road win.

“His history as a deep field player in college and what he did there, sort of just has a pretty innate understanding of those type of positions on the field and how to take advantage of those,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “He made plays on the ball in college, he made plays on the ball in training camp and obviously Week 1, he made plays on the ball there. I do think he has pretty good feel from those deep zone areas and where he’s fitting and then as you get to this level and start formation recognition, or what routes you’re getting out of those formations.”

Now, the Texans are preparing for a difficult challenge against Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love.

“Jordan Love is a talented quarterback, of course, I think everybody knows that,” Bullock said. “He is in a good area with Green Bay. Then he has a good receiving corps that he believes in. A lot of passing out of those guys. We know we are about to be up for a challenge when we go up there in Green Bay.”

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