Riq Woolen

Riq Woolen Bio

Riq Woolen is an American professional football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 2, 1999, in Fort Worth, Texas, Woolen played college football at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) before being selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Woolen made an immediate impact as a rookie, earning Pro Bowl honors and leading the league in interceptions. He was a member of the Seahawks team that won Super Bowl LX before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2026.

Early Life and Background

Woolen grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended Arlington Heights High School. He was rated a three-star recruit coming out of high school. Woolen received scholarship offers from several programs, including North Texas, Houston, and Texas State, before ultimately deciding to continue his football career closer to home by committing to play college football at UTSA.

During his high school years, Woolen developed his athletic abilities while competing against Texas high school football competition. His combination of size and speed made him an attractive prospect for college programs seeking versatile defensive backs.

Path to the NFL

Woolen redshirted his freshman season at UTSA before transitioning from wide receiver to cornerback during his redshirt sophomore year. He initially started the first three games of his redshirt sophomore season as a wide receiver before making the position change that would define his professional career.

The move to cornerback proved transformative for Woolen’s trajectory. As a redshirt junior, he became a starter and recorded 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four passes broken up, and one interception. He followed that with 25 tackles, five passes broken up, and one interception as a redshirt senior. After his college career concluded, Woolen received an invitation to play in the 2022 Senior Bowl, which further showcased his abilities against top collegiate competition.

Riq Woolen Career

Pre-Draft and Combine Performance

At the 2022 NFL Combine, Woolen ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, which was tied for the fourth-fastest time in Combine history at the time and represented the fastest time ever recorded for a player over six feet tall. This exceptional speed combined with his 6-foot-4 frame drew significant attention from NFL scouts and executives.

Multiple draft analysts rated Woolen among the top cornerback prospects available in the 2022 NFL Draft. Sports Illustrated ranked him as the eighth-best cornerback, Scouts Inc. listed him ninth (81st overall), NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah had him ranked 10th (79th overall), and Bleacher Report ranked him 10th (84th overall) among cornerback prospects. NFL media analyst Lance Zierlein projected Woolen to be selected in the second or third round, making his fifth-round selection by the Seahawks a notable value pick.

Seattle Seahawks (2022–2025)

The Seattle Seahawks selected Woolen in the fifth round with the 153rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $3.99 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $332,216. Throughout training camp, Woolen competed against several cornerbacks including Artie Burns, Coby Bryant, Tre Brown, Mike Jackson, Justin Coleman, and John Reid for the starting position.

Following an unexpected trade of expected starter Sidney Jones to the Las Vegas Raiders during final roster cuts, head coach Pete Carroll named Woolen the number one starting cornerback, pairing him with Mike Jackson. Woolen made his professional regular season debut on September 12, 2022, earning his first career start in the Seahawks’ home-opener against the Denver Broncos.

Woolen’s rookie season was remarkable. He recorded his first career interception in Week 2 against Marcus Mariota of the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 4, he returned an interception 40 yards for his first career touchdown during a victory against the Detroit Lions. His streak of four consecutive games with an interception from Weeks 2 through 6 made him the only rookie over the prior 10 years to achieve that feat. He earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for Week 6 performance against the Arizona Cardinals. Woolen finished his rookie season with six interceptions, tied for the league lead, 63 combined tackles, and 16 pass deflections in 17 starts. He was named to the Pro Bowl, earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors, and was a finalist for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The Seahawks finished the 2022 season with a 9-8 record, clinching a Wild Card playoff berth. Woolen started his first career playoff game on January 14, 2023, against the San Francisco 49ers.

Philadelphia Eagles (2026–Present)

On March 12, 2026, Woolen signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles worth up to $15 million. This move marked a new chapter in his career as he joined a franchise with championship aspirations. Woolen’s addition provided the Eagles with an experienced, playmaking cornerback who had demonstrated the ability to create turnovers and make game-changing plays throughout his career.

Defensive Style and Strengths

Woolen possesses exceptional speed for his size, with his 4.26-second 40-yard dash time making him a rare combination of height and speed at the cornerback position. His length allows him to contest passes effectively and disrupt receivers at the catch point. Woolen’s instincts for the ball and ability to track interceptions set him apart, as demonstrated by his streak of consecutive games with picks during his rookie season. His tackling ability in open space and willingness to support the run game add versatility to his coverage skills.

Notable Events and Milestones

Woolen’s rookie season produced several historic moments. His four-game interception streak represented the longest by any rookie in a decade and demonstrated his ability to read quarterbacks and break on routes. His selection to the Pro Bowl as a rookie validated his immediate impact at the professional level. Woolen was also a finalist for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, recognizing him among the top first-year players in the league. His 2025 season included being a member of the Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks team.

Riq Woolen Career Wins and Statistics

Through the 2025 season, Woolen has established himself as one of the most productive cornerbacks drafted in recent years. His 12 career interceptions over four seasons demonstrate his consistent ability to create turnovers. His 53 career pass deflections and 203 total tackles show his complete skill set as a starting NFL cornerback.

Career Highlights

Woolen’s most prolific season came during his rookie year of 2022, when he led the NFL with six interceptions while starting all 17 games. His Pro Bowl selection as a rookie highlighted how quickly he adapted to NFL competition. The Super Bowl LX championship he earned with the Seahawks in 2025 represented the pinnacle of his team success to that point in his career. His career-high eight solo tackles performance against the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 showcased his ability to be a consistent tackler in addition to his coverage skills.

Other Notable Performances

Beyond his interception totals, Woolen’s impact extends to forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. He has recorded five career fumble recoveries and one forced fumble, demonstrating his ability to strip the ball and create extra possessions for his defense. His ability to score touchdowns, including a 40-yard interception return against Detroit in his rookie year, adds a dynamic element to his defensive contributions.

Riq Woolen Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Limited verified information is publicly available regarding Woolen’s family background and immediate family members. He has maintained privacy regarding his family life while establishing his professional football career.

Personal Life

Woolen was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended Arlington Heights High School in the city. His decision to stay close to home for college by choosing UTSA reflected his connection to his Texas roots. After establishing his NFL career, Woolen has continued to represent his Fort Worth heritage while building his professional reputation across multiple organizations.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked Woolen’s fourth year with the Seattle Seahawks and represented continued development as an NFL cornerback. Woolen appeared in 15 games with 14 starts, demonstrating his reliability as a consistent contributor in Seattle’s secondary. His 41 total tackles and 12 pass deflections showed his ability to remain active in the defensive scheme.

His season included a standout performance against the Minnesota Vikings where he recorded a season-high three pass deflections. Woolen’s game-sealing interception against the Chicago Bears in Week 17 demonstrated his clutch playmaking ability in crucial moments. The interception on a pass to D.J. Moore in the final seconds secured an important victory for the Seahawks.

Beyond his individual performance, Woolen was a member of the Seahawks team that won Super Bowl LX, capturing the championship with a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots. He recorded four total tackles in the Super Bowl victory. The 2025 season served as a strong foundation for Woolen’s next chapter as he prepared to join the Philadelphia Eagles in 2026.