Riq Woolen Explained

Riq Woolen
Current Team:Seattle Seahawks
Number:27
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:2 May 1999
Birth Place:Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:210
High School:Arlington Heights
(Fort Worth, Texas)
College:UTSA (2017–2021)
Draftyear:2022
Draftround:5
Draftpick:153
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:116
Statlabel2:Forced fumbles
Statvalue2:0
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue3:4
Statlabel4:Pass deflections
Statvalue4:27
Statlabel5:Interceptions
Statvalue5:8
Statlabel6:Defensive touchdowns
Statvalue6:1
Pfr:WoolTa00

Tariq "Riq" Woolen[1] (born May 2, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UTSA Roadrunners and was selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Woolen made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2022.

Early life

Woolen grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and attended Arlington Heights High School. He was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) over offers from North Texas, Houston, and Texas State.[2]

College career

Woolen redshirted his freshman season at UTSA.[3] As a redshirt freshman wide receiver, he caught 15 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown.[4] Woolen started the first three games of his redshirt sophomore season before moving to the cornerback position.[5]

Woolen became a starter during his redshirt junior season and finished the year with 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks with four passes broken up and one interception.[6] Woolen had 25 tackles, 5 passes broken up, and one interception as a redshirt senior.[7] After the conclusion of his college career, Woolen was invited to play in the 2022 Senior Bowl.[8]

Professional career

At the 2022 NFL Combine, Woolen ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, tied for third-best in the Combine history and fastest for a player over six foot.[9] [10] He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round (153rd overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.[11]

In Week 3, Woolen recorded his first career interception from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota as time expired in the second half.[12] In Week 4, Woolen had his second career interception against Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown in the 48–45 win.[13] After intercepting Kyler Murray in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals, Woolen became the only rookie over the last 10 years to record an interception in at least four consecutive games.[14] [15] He was named National Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for Week 6.[16] He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team and earned Pro Bowl honors.[17] [18] He finished his rookie season with a total of six interceptions, tied for most in the league.[19] [20] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[21]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGames Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
SEA17 17 63 46 17 1 0.0 0 16 6 47 7.8 40 1 0 3 8 2.7 0
2023SEA161553421110.0011200.0000210.50
Career 33 32 116 88 28 2 0.0 0 27 8 47 7.8 40 1 0 5 9 1.8 0

Playoffs

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bicks . Emily . August 8, 2023 . Seahawks CB Officially Changes Name Ahead of 2023 NFL Season . March 20, 2024 . Heavy.com . en-US.
  2. Web site: Gosset . Brian . December 11, 2016 . FW Arlington Heights receiver commits to UTSA . February 2, 2022 . Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  3. Web site: Luca . Greg . April 30, 2022 . UTSA’s Burford, Woolen taken on third day of NFL draft . April 8, 2023 . San Antonio Express-News . en-US.
  4. Web site: Lopez . Selby . September 4, 2019 . 5 things Baylor fans need to know about UTSA, including their freshman QB and a WR head coach Matt Rhule . February 3, 2022 . The Dallas Morning News.
  5. Web site: Luca . Greg . September 1, 2021 . Converted wideout Tariq Woolen making mark at cornerback . February 3, 2022 . San Antonio Express-News.
  6. Web site: Luca . Greg . September 1, 2021 . UTSA 'freak' athlete Tariq Woolen looking to make strides in second year at CB . February 3, 2022 . San Antonio Express-News.
  7. Web site: Luca . Greg . December 20, 2021 . UTSA's Tariq Woolen declares for NFL draft, will skip Frisco Bowl . February 2, 2022 . San Antonio Express-News.
  8. Web site: Luca . Greg . February 4, 2022 . UTSA's Burford, Woolen set for Senior Bowl showcase . October 11, 2022 . San Antonio Express-News . en-US.
  9. Web site: Shannon . Chase . January 24, 2022 . Catching up with Tariq Woolen . February 3, 2022 . FoxSanAntonio.com.
  10. Web site: Luca . Greg . February 4, 2022 . UTSA's Spencer Burford, Tariq Woolen set for Senior Bowl showcase . February 4, 2022 . San Antonio Express-News.
  11. Web site: April 30, 2022 . Seahawks Select Texas-San Antonio CB Tariq Woolen With 153rd Overall Pick . Seahawks.com.
  12. Web site: September 27, 2022 . Seahawks' Tariq Woolen: Grabs first career interception . October 1, 2022 . CBSSports.com.
  13. Web site: Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions - October 2nd, 2022 . October 11, 2022 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  14. Web site: Instant Lookback: Woolen Won't Stop . October 19, 2022 . seahawks.com . en.
  15. 1582057602808045569 . NFLonCBS . Tariq Woolen is the ONLY rookie over the last 10 years to record an interception in at least 4 consecutive games.
  16. Web site: 2022 NFL Week 6 Leaders & Scores . April 8, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  17. Web site: 2022 NFL All-Rookie Team . April 8, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  18. Web site: 2022 NFL Pro Bowlers . April 8, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  19. Web site: 2022 NFL Defense . April 8, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  20. Web site: January 20, 2023 . Seahawks' Tariq Woolen: Makes DROY case . April 8, 2023 . CBSSports.com . en.
  21. Web site: 2022 NFL All-Rookie Team . 2024-07-27 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.