Calen Bullock is expected to be a long-term piece for the Houston Texans’ secondary entering a new era of football under DeMeco Ryans.
That era might be underway heading into the final preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Bullock, a third-round pick out of USC, worked in reps with the first-team defense on Wednesday prior to the joint practices with Los Angeles on Wedensday. He’s feeling comfortable sharing the field with Jimmie Ward when Jalen Pitre plays down low in the slot.
He’s catching the right people’s attention at the proper moment heading into cut days.
Calen Bullock is running with the 1s today.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 21, 2024
“Calen has been steady,” Ryans said following Wednesday’s practice. “He’s been making plays for us. He’s been consistent throughout practice. He finds a way to get his hands on the ball every day in practice, so I’m excited about his growth and his development as a young safety in our system.”
Four months into his Texans’ career, Bullock has been a standout. The competition has lessened since most of his reps have been against second-team players, but Bullock’s ability to flash has kept him in the spotlight.
Through three preseason games, he’s played the most out of all the rookies with 66 snaps. Those reps weren’t just mental. In the Hall of Fame game against Chicago, Bullock forced a fumble against Bears tight end Tommy Sweeny.
Against Pittsburgh, he nearly intercepted a pass after tracking down the ball 30 yards away.
“He does have a lot of work back there,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said last week prior to Saturday’s 28-10 win over the New York Giants. “He’s just real natural at reading quarterbacks, feeling routes, coming up and trying to anticipate breaks, so that kind of helps him get a jump on some things.”
DeMeco Ryans on Calen Bullock:
“He has a chance to be one of the better ones (safeties) that I’ve worked with” 👀 pic.twitter.com/OtB0aMbohw
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 21, 2024
Range is one area that should be considered a strength of Bullock entering 2024. Known for his ball-hawking skills and ability to force turnovers, he collected nine interceptions in 38 games with the Trojans and posted 18 pass deflections in three seasons.
The Texans’ base coverage differs from what USC ran in 2023, primarily in a man coverage scheme where safeties are required to step up against receivers on the vertical passing attack. He’s still adjusting to that life while splitting reps with veteran Eric Murray.
Calen Bullock (7) Pick Six with the assist/pressure from Solomon Byrd (51)
Now both Houston Texans 🤘pic.twitter.com/4qdriei9BV
— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) April 28, 2024
Still, when asked to play in single-high coverage, Bullock has shown off the range and capability to make a jaw-dropping play against even the top receivers in practice. Now, it must translate over to live reps on Sundays.
“He has a chance to be one of the better [safeties] that I’ve had a chance to work with,” Ryans said.
