Early Life and College Career
Calen Bullock Jr., born on April 30, 2003, in Pasadena, California, emerged as a standout football player at John Muir High School, where he played both as a defensive back and wide receiver. His versatility and athleticism earned him a four-star rating from recruiting outlets and eventually led him to commit to USC (University of Southern California).
At USC, Bullock made an immediate impact. In his true freshman season (2021), he started 6 of 12 games, recording 39 tackles and 2 interceptions. Over the next two seasons, he grew into a core leader of USC’s defense. In 2022, he started every game and made 48 tackles along with 5 interceptions, while in 2023, he notched 61 tackles, 7 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions, earning First-Team All-Pac-12 honors. After his junior year, Bullock declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Position and Playing Style
Bullock plays primarily at safety, leveraging his size (6′3″, 190 lb) and excellent ball skills to patrol the deep secondary. Scouts highlight his instincts, long range, and ability to read quarterbacks early — traits likely honed from his time as a receiver in high school. According to NFL Draft profiles, Bullock shows strong versatility in both zone and man coverage.
College & NFL Stats
College Stats (USC):
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2021: ~39 tackles, 2 interceptions.
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2022: 48 tackles, 5 INTs.
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2023: 61 tackles, 7 PBUs, 2 interceptions.
NFL / Pro Stats (So Far):
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According to Pro-Football-Reference, through his NFL career, he has made 7 interceptions and returned them for 107 yards.
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His snap counts show heavy usage in defense, indicating the Texans trust him as a core defensive back.
PFF (Pro Football Focus) Grades & Recognition
Bullock has already drawn attention for his PFF (Pro Football Focus) performance. In Week 1 of his rookie NFL season, he earned an 82.3 PFF grade, the highest among all rookies that week. This early grade demonstrates his ability to transition from college to pro-level play with poise and impact.
NFL Contract & Salary
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Draft Details: Selected by the Houston Texans in the 3rd round (78th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Contract: He signed a 4-year rookie contract reportedly worth $5.84 million, with a signing bonus of about $1.04 million.
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2024 Salary: For the 2024 season, his base salary was $795,000, plus the signing bonus, making his total earnings for that year approximately $1.87 million.
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Future Earnings: Based on projections and available contract details, his salary is expected to increase year over year, following typical rookie scale escalations.
Impact & Future Outlook
Calen Bullock’s early NFL career suggests he could become a cornerstone of the Texans’ secondary. His strong PFF grade in his debut week, combined with consistent production in college, underscores his potential. At just 22, with his current trajectory, he has the tools to develop into a top-tier safety in the league.
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