A functionalized silica product includes particles of a hydrophobated silica having a coating of a polymer. A ratio of the hydrophobated silica to the polymer is from about 0.3/1 to about 100/1. The functionalized silica product may be in the form of a friable crumb or a powder, or in the form of a bale, that may be mixed into an elastomer formulation for a rubber article, such as a tire component.