Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #2: Bryce Callahan

The countdown of the ten best players from the first decade of Cy Woods football is almost complete. This man is the first person from Cypress Woods High School to rise to the top level of the sport.

Yes, he is the first Wildcat to play in the National Football League. He's #2 on this list mainly because I didn't want to mess with the numbering format. This is more of a 1A/1B type of thing.

#2, or #1: Bryce Callahan, DB, 2008-09

College: Rice (2010-15)

Pro: Chicago Bears (2015-18), Denver Broncos (2019-present)

First photo taken by Don Carson. Last two photos from Getty Images; sources included in links.

Embed from Getty Images

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Accolades at Cy Woods

Most career interceptions (13)

Most career return touchdowns (4)

1st-team All-District 15-5A, 2008 and 2009

PFWA 1st-Team All-State, 2009

THSCA All-Star, 2009

Accolades at Rice

2nd all-time in interceptions (13)

Sporting News Freshman All-American, 2011

Conference USA All-Freshman, 2011

Honorable Mention All-Conference USA, 2011

2nd-team All-Conference USA, 2013-14

Armed Forces Bowl, 2012

Conference USA champion, Liberty Bowl - 2013

Hawaii Bowl, 2014

East-West Shrine Game, 2015

Bryce Callahan was special. The things he did on the field were absolutely insane. Returning punts, ball-hawking in the secondary, burning everyone as a receiver... Bryce was a game. changer. He was also a track star for the Wildcats, although to be honest, that sort of bored him. If he really, truly set his mind to it, he probably would've been a state qualifier in the sprints and jumps.

He intercepted six passes in 2008 and picked off seven more in 2009. He returned a punt for a touchdown in year one and took three more back to the house the next year. The first year was just a preview of what was in store for Cy-Fair ISD football. Once he assumed his final form, he was an absolute terror for opposing teams.

After Cy Woods, Bryce Callahan signed to play football at Rice and played a starring role during one of the most successful periods of Rice Owls football. He redshirted his first season but eventually, he became a leader of the Owl defense. Despite his success at the college level, Bryce went undrafted.

However, he wouldn't have to wait very long for a shot at the NFL as he signed with the Bears shortly after the draft. He was actually waived midway through his rookie season, but he fought for his place in the league and hasn't looked back since. 

Once upon a time, Bryce Callahan dazzled under the lights of Pridgeon Stadium and the Berry Center. Now, ten years later, he's taking on greats such as Aaron Rodgers and Larry Fitzgerald and Adrian Peterson. 

He's on his path to stardom, I'm just a regular guy who happened to play with a future NFL player. I'm glad that I could play a small role in his road to the league. Always got love for my brothers and I'll be keeping track of his career, wherever it may take him.

Bryce Callahan signs with the Chicago Bears

Three days and 256 names later, the 2015 NFL Draft is in the books. 

Rice cornerback Bryce Callahan, a 2010 graduate of Cypress Woods High School, was not among those 256 who heard their name called or saw their name flash at the bottom of the screen on NFL Network's or ESPN's coverage of the draft. However, he did not have to wait long for his chance at the NFL as he will be signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. He is the first Wildcat alumnus to join a National Football League team, and it is a well-deserved opportunity for 

Bryce did come off as a bit of a diva at times, especially on the practice field. I remember Coach Zachos getting on his case for just about everything imaginable. However, when it was time to perform, Bryce instantaneously transformed into the best player on the field. On the field, Bryce did it all: he returned punts, served as the leader of the defense, patrolled the field like a center fielder, delivered big hits to opposing receivers, and on occasion, he'd leave the defense in the dust as he took a Colton Huntsman heave to the end zone for a long touchdown.

At first, I thought that Bryce was too good of a player to end up at Rice, but the allure of an education at such a prestigious school, the opportunity to become a part of something special football-wise, and his accomplishments during his time there turned out to be the rebuttals to my thoughts all those years ago. In his four years as a member of the Rice Owls, Bryce got the opportunity to play in three bowl games (winning two) and was part of a conference championship-winning team. Without a doubt, Bryce Callahan played a crucial role in the revival of the Rice Owls.



Though Bryce and I have gone our separate ways, I'm glad that I can call him a friend, and I'm also glad that I was able to call him a teammate. Congratulations, brother. I hope you have a long and successful career, no matter where it takes you, and we're all going to be rooting for you every step of the way.

Cy Woods accolades

1st-team All-District 15-5A (2008, 2009)

1st-team Associated Press All-State (2009)

Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star (2010)
Honorable Mention Academic All-State (2009)

Career leader in interceptions (13) and kickoff/punt return touchdowns (4 punts returned for TDs)

Rice accolades

Armed Forces Bowl champion (2012)

Conference USA Champion, Liberty Bowl (2013)

Hawaii Bowl champion (2014)

Sporting News Freshman All-American (2011)

2nd-team All-Conference USA (2013, 2014)

All-freshman Conference USA, honorable mention all-conference (2011)

Jim Thorpe Award watch list (2014)

East-West Shrine Game participant (2014)

13 career interceptions (tied for 2nd in school history)

Photo uploaded to Facebook by his mother

View image | gettyimages.com