Tariq Woolen: From UTSA Roadrunner to NFL Star
Tariq Woolen's journey from a college wide receiver to a Pro Bowl cornerback in the NFL is a testament to his athleticism, dedication, and adaptability. Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Woolen quickly established himself as a key player, showcasing his talent and contributing to the team's success.
Early Life and College Career
Born on May 2, 1999, Woolen grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended Arlington Heights High School. His athletic abilities were evident early on, as he excelled in both football and basketball, earning all-district honors in both sports. He also participated in track and field.
Woolen began his college career at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in 2017, redshirting his freshman year. Initially playing wide receiver, he switched to cornerback late in the 2019 season. This position change proved to be a turning point in his career.
From 2018 through 2021, Woolen played in 41 games for the Roadrunners. In 2018, he recorded 15 catches for 158 yards and one touchdown. In 2019, he caught nine passes for 105 yards. As a cornerback, he recorded 35 tackles, including 20 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in 2020. He also posted four pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, and one interception.
In 2021, Woolen earned honorable mention All-Conference USA honors. He started all nine games he was available for, helping lead the Roadrunners to a 12-2 record and the program's first conference title. He posted 25 total tackles, 17 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, one interception, and a quarterback hurry.
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Woolen's impressive performance at UTSA earned him invitations to the Reese's Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl, and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. He accepted the Senior Bowl invite, showcasing his skills for NFL scouts.
NFL Career
2022 Season: Rookie Sensation
The Seattle Seahawks selected Woolen in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Throughout training camp, he competed for a starting cornerback position. He was named the No. 2 cornerback alongside Michael Jackson.
Woolen made his professional debut on September 12, 2022, in the Seahawks' season opener against the Denver Broncos. On September 25, 2022, Woolen recorded his first career interception against the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 4, Woolen intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions. In Week 5, he had his third consecutive game with an interception against the New Orleans Saints. On October 16, 2022, Woolen had his fourth consecutive game with an interception against the Arizona Cardinals. He became the only rookie in the past 10 years to achieve this feat.
Woolen's outstanding performance earned him the National Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week award for Week 6. On December 4, 2022, Woolen recorded a season-high seven combined tackles and his sixth interception of the season against the Los Angeles Rams.
He started all 17 games in his rookie season, recording 63 combined tackles, 16 pass deflections, and tying for the most interceptions in 2022 with six. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team and earned Pro Bowl honors. He was also a finalist for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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Pro Football Focus gave Woolen an overall grade of 69.1 in 2022, ranking him 35th among 120 qualifying cornerbacks. The Seattle Seahawks finished the 2022 NFL season second in the NFC West with a 9-8 record, clinching a Wildcard berth.
2023 Season: Continued Growth
Woolen returned as a starting cornerback in 2023. He finished the season with 53 combined tackles, two interceptions, 11 passes defended, and two fumble recoveries in 16 games and 16 starts. He received an overall grade of 67.1 from Pro Football Focus, ranking 53rd among all qualifying cornerbacks.
2024 Season
On September 8, 2024, Woolen started in the Seahawks' home-opener against the Denver Broncos and recorded an interception. In Week 14, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles and broke up a pass during a 30-18 win at the Arizona Cardinals. On December 22, 2024, Woolen had two combined tackles and a season-high three pass deflections during a 24-27 loss against the Minnesota Vikings. The following week, Woolen recorded one solo tackle, a pass deflection, and had a game-sealing interception on a pass in the last 20 seconds in the fourth quarter of a 6-3 victory at the Chicago Bears in Week 17.
Super Bowl Appearance
Woolen was a member of the Seahawks team that won Super Bowl LX, joining former UTSA players Spencer Burford and Teddy Williams as Roadrunners who have appeared in a Super Bowl.
Strengths and Attributes
Tariq Woolen's success in the NFL can be attributed to several key strengths and attributes:
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- Exceptional Athleticism: Woolen possesses elite speed and athleticism, as evidenced by his 4.26 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine, the fourth-fastest time in Combine history.
- Size and Length: At 6'4", Woolen has exceptional size and length for a cornerback, allowing him to disrupt passing lanes and challenge receivers.
- Ball Skills: Woolen has demonstrated excellent ball skills, consistently intercepting passes and making plays on the ball.
- Tackling Ability: Woolen is a willing and capable tackler, contributing to the run defense.
- Versatility: Woolen's background as a wide receiver gives him a unique understanding of route running and receiver tendencies.
- Smart, Tough, Reliable: Qualities the Seahawks look for in their players.
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