Bryce Callahan, a safety, was the undisputed best athlete in the Class of 2010 at Cypress Woods High School. Bryce was one of those people who could have excelled at any skill position on the field. He could have been a force in basketball or baseball, too. He was a born athlete; everything just came naturally to him.
In addition to being a leader on the defense, he also served as the primary punt returner and delivered some electrifying moments, returning three of them for touchdowns in 2009. Overall, he returned four punts for touchdowns, which is also a record for return touchdowns (kick, punt, fumble, interception). He was also deployed as a wide receiver whenever the Wildcats needed a quick score. Bryce recorded seven interceptions in 2009, a school record for picks in a season. He intercepted 13 passes in his two seasons at Cy Woods, also a record.
Bryce was a first-team All-District 15-5A selection in both his junior and senior seasons. Bryce became the first Wildcat selected to an All-State team when he was a first-team selection in 2009. He was also selected as a Texas High School Coaches' Association All-Star. His half-brother, Wade Carson, played as a linebacker at Cy Woods from 2013-14.
After Cy Woods, Bryce played as a cornerback at Rice, where he played a starring role in the revival of Rice Owls football, and the accolades continued to roll in for him. He was selected as a Freshman All-American by the Sporting News, a Freshman All-Conference USA selection, and an honorable mention All-Conference USA player in 2011. Bryce was a two-time 2nd-team All-Conference USA selection in 2013 and 2014. He played in three bowl games in his career, winning the Armed Forces Bowl (against Colton Huntsman's Air Force squad) in 2012 and the Hawaii Bowl in 2014. After his final collegiate game in the Hawaii Bowl, Bryce was selected to participate in the East-West Shrine Game. His 13 career interceptions at Rice ranks second in school history.
Bryce was not selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, but he didn't have to wait long for his chance as he signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears, thus becoming the first Wildcat alumnus in the National Football League. In his rookie season, Bryce played an integral role for the Bears defense, primarily playing as the nickel (3rd) cornerback. He was actually placed on waivers once that season, but he eventually regained his spot on the Bears and became one of their top rookies on defense.
One of the highlights of his rookie season occurred on Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field, where he broke up an Aaron Rodgers pass in the endzone at the end of the game to seal a 17-13 victory for the Bears. Bryce also returned a punt for a touchdown against San Francisco, but that score was wiped out because of a penalty. Instead, he was credited with a 34-yard punt return. Bryce finished his rookie season with 21 total tackles (20 solo), a sack, and three pass breakups in nine games (three starts).
Bryce finished with 31 tackles and five pass breakups in 2016. In 2017, he took a significant step forward and became an integral part of the Bears' defense. Bryce recorded his first career interception in Week 6 against Joe Flacco and the Ravens and intercepted another pass in Week 16 against the Browns. In the 2017 regular-season finale, Bryce scored his first NFL touchdown on a 59-yard punt return against the Vikings.
Bryce further solidified his status as a rising star in 2018 as he added two more interceptions to go along with two sacks, one of which forced a fumble from Ben Roethlisberger. His first interception in 2018 came late in the fourth quarter and helped seal a 16-14 victory for the Bears in Arizona.
After spending his first four NFL seasons with the Bears, Bryce Callahan signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Denver Broncos in 2019.
Bryce Callahan, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2008-09
Bryce Callahan, Rice Owls, 2010-14
Nathaniel Crea, the kicker in 2010, was the next Wildcat to wear #4. Nathaniel possessed a strong leg and was a beneficiary of the Wildcats' high-octane offense, scoring 94 points, which was a record that stood until 2014, when Luis Reyes broke it by one point.
Nathaniel Crea, 2010
Taylor Welch, a safety, wore 4 in 2011.
Taylor Welch, 2011
Kendrick Jacobs, a cornerback/running back, wore 4 in 2012.
Kendrick Jacobs, 2012
Stevie Polly, a starting cornerback in 2013, was the next Wildcat to wear this number. He was a 2nd-team All-District 17-5A selection.
Stevie Polly, 2013
Nick Bailey, a cornerback, wore #4 in 2014. Nick was slowed by an injury early in the 2014 season, but his role in the defense became more prominent as the season progressed. His brother, Jarrett, played as a cornerback in 2012 and 2013. Their younger sister, Kennedy, is one of the top hurdlers (100 and 300) in the country.
Nick played for one season at Stephen F. Austin.
Nick Bailey, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2014
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, 2015
Collin Fewox, a safety, made the varsity in 2015, his sophomore year and primarily served as a backup in his first season. He finished as a two-year starter at safety for the Wildcats.
Collin Fewox, 2015-17
After getting a taste of varsity football as a sophomore in 2017, Chase Richter switched to #4 and eventually became a two-year starter at safety for the Wildcats. As a senior, he was also the primary punt returner and he earned 1st-team All-District 14-6A honors as a safety and a return specialist.
Chase was also the starting center fielder and the closer for the Wildcat baseball team and he'll move on to play college baseball by taking the junior college route; he will begin his college baseball career at Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant.
Photo by Tom Dendy
Chase Richter, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2017-19
Northeast Texas Eagles baseball, beginning in spring 2021
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