As the defensive unit takes the field for the 11-on-11 drills, the usual standouts, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., defensive end Danielle Hunter, and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, make their way toward their spots as they prepare for the defensive call from head coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke.
When the media members in attendance begin to check off the players on the first unit, they notice the regulars. However, one player standing as the last line of defense is an unfamiliar face who has played his way onto the field to receive some first-team reps.
Once the offense breaks the huddle and heads toward the line of scrimmage, rookie safety Calen Bullock begins communicating with the rest of the defensive backs, barking out assignments as if he were a five-year NFL veteran. That type of confidence, with an athletic 6-foot-2 inch frame and a knack for being wherever the football is, has caught the attention of Ryans and Burke throughout practice and the preseason.
“I mean, it shows up,” said Ryans about Bullock. “Whatever his production is has been pretty significant. He’s rangy. He covers ground, he plays the ball well. He has good movement skills for safety and moves well for his size. Honestly, some of his best football probably is in front of him.”
His head coach describes him precisely as the Texans scouts and general manager Nick Caserio saw on film when scouting the former back-to-back All-Pac 12 safety over the past two seasons.
During his final season at USC, Bullock finished with 61 tackles, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups. He showed enough for Caserio to trade away the Texans’ No. 86 and No. 123 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 78 pick in the third round.
Bullock, 21, has had an early return on investment as he has continuously made plays during training camp and in preseason action. In two preseason games played, he leads the team in tackles with nine and also forced a fumble in the Hall of Fame Game against the Chicago Bears.
“The coaches have put me in the right position to use my athleticism,” Bullock said exclusively to Big Sarge Media. “They know what I am capable of, so they make sure that I am in the best position to help the team.”
Veteran safety Jimmie Ward has helped Bullock improve his tackling ability, which coach Ryans said will improve as he gets stronger throughout the season. The physicality of the NFL level can take a toll on such a young player, but Bullock embraces that challenge.
“I have been adjusting good,” said Bullock. “As you have seen from the first game, the physicality of my game has been there. Of course, everybody is bigger and faster at every level. So, I think I am adjusting pretty well.”
The Texans are experimenting on defense this season by playing safety Jalen Pitre into the nickel cornerback position in certain defensive sets. That move opens a battle for first-team reps between Bullock and veterans M.J. Stewart and Eric Murray.
It would be assumed that Pitre is helping the rookie get acclimated to playing in the NFL, but Bullock has been helping the vets get better.
“Calen is a pro already,” Pitre said during his press conference after practice on Tuesday. “I know you asked how I have helped him, but I know y’all have seen him in the post. He’s helped me already just eyeing the quarterback, eyeing when that back foot is hidden, knowing when to break before the quarterback is doing that. He has a good feel in that regard, and I think he’s helped our room out a lot in that.”
Listen to Texans safety Jalen Pitre expound on what rookie Calen Bullock brings to the position and how he has helped him to get better. #TexansTrainingCamp #BigSargeMedia pic.twitter.com/4EGMC6vlpA
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) August 13, 2024