Tariq Woolen

Tariq “Riq” Woolen, known to many as a rising talent in American professional football, was born on May 2, 1999, in Fort Worth, Texas. Earned a name as a talented cornerback for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, his inspiring journey is one of consistent hard work, perseverance, and a strong passion for football.

Woolen kickstarted his early football career during his time at Arlington Heights High School in his hometown. Showcasing his promising skills, he earned a three-star recruit status, a noteworthy achievement that brought attention from various universities. Woolen, however, committed to the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), choosing UTSA’s Roadrunners over offers from other places such as North Texas, Houston, and Texas State.

In his initial year at UTSA, Woolen redshirted his freshman season, indicating he would not participate in competitive games to focus more on his development. Proving his worth as a wide receiver during his redshirt freshman year, Riq displayed his agility catching 15 passes for a total of 158 yards, making his mark with one touchdown.

However, the beginning of his redshirt sophomore season witnessed one of the most significant changes in Woolen’s career. After the first three games, he made a pivotal move, transitioning from the position of a wide receiver to a cornerback.

Woolen’s redshirt junior year marked his ascension to the position of a starter. With consistent displays of his enhanced skills and adaptability, he recorded 35 tackles, four broken passes, and one interception, besides 2.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks completed. While his redshirt senior year also saw a commendable performance of 25 tackles, five broken passes, and one interception. Upon finishing his times at UTSA, Woolen received an invitation to participate in the prestigious 2022 Senior Bowl.

Gaining momentum, Woolen went on to set a record at the 2022 NFL Combine clocking a 4.26-second 40-yard dash. This record tied him to the third-best timing in the Combine’s history and allowed Woolen to stake his claim as the fastest player over six feet tall.

Thriving on this significant achievement, Woolen entered the 2022 NFL draft where he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round, being the overall 153rd pick. This marked the beginning of his professional career and the chance to validate his genuine potential.

During his rookie year, Woolen made outstanding impressions. He recorded his first professional career interception from Marcus Mariota, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. Within one week, he made his second career interception against Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, returning it 40 yards for a touchdown.

Riq continued his triumphant journey by intercepting Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals, becoming the only rookie in the preceding decade to record an interception in at least four consecutive games. As a result of his exceptional performances, he was named the National Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for Week Six, and his rookie season finished with six interceptions, a total equalling the highest in the league. Consequently, he earned a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team, alongside receiving Pro Bowl honors.

Woolen’s performance in the 2023 season also lived up to expectations. He had a total of 53 tackles, two interceptions, eleven defended passes, and two fumble recoveries, showing his worth in the NFL.

Tariq “Riq” Woolen is more than a powerhouse football player; he is a true testament to the spirit of sportsmanship: resilience, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. He continues to inspire countless youngsters with his triumphant journey to the heights of professional football.