FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at USC defensive end Calen Bullock.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Calen Bullock
Calen Bullock (DB – USC)
6’3″ – 190 lbs.
Background:
Pasadena, CA native and four-star recruit who started six of 12 games played as a freshman, including four of the last six contests; finished with 40 tackles, two interceptions, and three breakups. Took over the full-time starting job the following year and had arguably his best year, with 48 tackles, five interceptions, and five breakups. This past year, recorded another 63 tackles, two interceptions, and seven breakups.
Positives:
Tall, long-limbed safety with a flexible frame and two and a half years of productive starting experience. Typically plays as a high safety, but will also shade over opposing slot receivers regularly. Very good athlete with excellent speed, high-end burst and fluid transitions; often looks like the fastest and most explosive player on the field. Gets easy depth when playing in high zones to keep the play in front of him. Processes route combinations effectively. Diagnoses quickly and shows clean transitions out of his backpedal. Fast and fluid enough to stick with faster and quicker receivers in man coverage. Uses his length and hands effectively to stay connected when pattern-matching. Closing burst to make plays on the ball is one of his most impressive traits, and, combined with his long limbs, allows him to make a ton of plays on the ball. Ran back two of his career interceptions for touchdowns. Surprisingly effective tackler with a wide radius, showing some physicality to his game. Gets good extension to lock out blockers.
Negatives:
Has added bulk since arriving on campus, but frame is still very thin, and will be asked to gain additional bulk and functional strength at the next level. Doesn’t bring a lot of stopping power and doesn’t project as an enforcer-type at the next level; often gets the worst of it when trying to tackle opposing ballcarriers. Angles in run support leave something to be desired. Flies in and misses in some open-field tackling situations; would like to see him break down more consistently.
Summary:
One of the top safety prospects in this year’s class, he offers an impressive combination of length, speed, fluidity, awareness and ball skills that should excite NFL teams looking for a ball-hawking high safety who can also shade over the slot and work in man coverage against opposing receivers. His very thin frame and lack of ideal functional strength mean he may need some time in a pro strength program, and he’ll need to clean up his angles in run support, but still looks likely to be one of the first free safeties off the board, likely on the second day of the draft.
Projection: Round 2-3
More 2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Cornerbacks
- Josh Newton (CB – TCU)
- Cooper DeJean (CB – Iowa)
- Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB – Missouri)
- Kalen King (CB – Penn State)
- Kamari Lassiter (CB – Georgia)
- Khyree Jackson (CB – Oregon)
- D.J. James (CB – Auburn)
- Nate Wiggins (CB – Clemson)
- Kris Abrams-Draine (CB – Missouri)
- Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB – Alabama)
- T.J. Tampa (CB – Iowa State)
- Quinyon Mitchell (CB – Toledo)
- Terrion Arnold (CB – Alabama)
- Nehemiah Pritchett (CB – Auburn)
- Mike Sainristil (CB – Michigan)
- Dwight McGlothern (CB – Arkansas)
- Caelen Carson (CB – Wake Forest)
- Cam Hart (CB – Notre Dame)
- Max Melton (CB – Rutgers)
- Jarrian Jones (CB – Florida State)
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