TOLEDO, Ohio – University of Toledo safety
Tycen Anderson and cornerback
Samuel Womack were both selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Anderson was chosen by the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals as the 166
th overall pick of the draft. Womack was taken by San Francisco just six picks later as the 172
nd pick.
Both players were beyond excited when they first heard the news.
"My stomach just dropped. I was hoping that was the real number that came up on the caller ID on my phone," said Anderson, who was joined by almost 100 family and friends at his home in Toledo. "I was walking on clouds. I was thinking, did this just really happen? I'm just incredibly blessed and happy."
Womack, who watched the draft with family and friends from his home in Detroit, had a similar reaction.
"I wanted to look at the TV to see it on the screen to make sure it was for real," Womack said "It felt amazing. It was an incredible, surreal feeling."
Anderson and Womack are the seventh and eighth Rockets to be drafted under Head Coach
Jason Candle since 2017. Dionte Johnson (third round) and Ka'dar Hollman (sixth) were taken in the 2019 draft; Logan Woodside was chosen in the seventh round in 2018; and Kareem Hunt (third round), Michael Roberts (fourth) and Treyvon Hester (seventh) were selected in 2017.
"We are thrilled for these guys and their families," said Candle. "These two are not only game-changers on the field, but they represented themselves, their families and the University of Toledo in a first-class manner. We are forever grateful for their selflessness and commitment to our program, and couldn't be more excited for what lies ahead. They will be tremendous additions to their respective teams."
Not only were Anderson and Womack linchpins in the Toledo secondary for the past several seasons, they are also roommates and close friends.
"That means everything to me to have Sam drafted so close to me," said Anderson. "Sam's my best friend on the team and he's been my roommate for the past three years. We've spent countless hours together. He put in the work to become the best DB in the history of Toledo, in my opinion. San Francisco got a ball hawk who's going to work hard and make plays."
Womack said he tried to call Anderson as soon as got drafted but couldn't get through. Anderson returned the call just after Sam got his call from the 49ers. "That was just perfect for us to get drafted so close together," Womack said.
A two-time All-MAC honoree, Anderson played in 55 games over five years in his Toledo career, tallying 237 tackles. He was a First-Team All-MAC selection in 2021 despite missing three games due to injury, and was a second-team All-MAC honoree in 2020. Off the field, Anderson was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District recipient and a four-time Academic All-MAC honoree. He earned his bachelor's degree in the fall of 2020 and is currently pursuing his MBA.
Anderson said he is trilled to be chosen by an NFL team from his home state.
"One of the main reasons I chose Toledo for college was so my family could see my play," said Anderson, who attended St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo.
"Now my parents will have a three-hour drive to Cincinnati to see me play. It couldn't have worked out better."
Womack, who played his high school ball at East English Village Prep in Detroit, came to Toledo as a walk-on but quickly made an impact on the team. A first-team All-MAC honoree in 2021, Womack is Toledo's all-time leader in pass breakups with 41. He had two interceptions and a school-record 16 breakups in 2021. He was in the top 10 nationally in breakups in each of the past three seasons (tied for second in 2021, seventh in 2020 and second in 2019). In 2020, he was a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy as the best player in the nation who began his career as a walk-on.
Womack said he is very happy to be heading west to begin his NFL career.
"I'm happy to be a 49er," said Womack. "I worked hard to get here. It feels like a great accomplishment. I know I'm supposed to be there. Now I'm ready to get to work."
