From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Northwestern OT Caleb Tiernan.
No. 72 CALEB TIERNAN – 6’7”, 325 POUNDS (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Caleb Tiernan 6-7/325 N/A N/A N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
N/A N/A N/A
THE GOOD
– Tall, broad frame with length and extension advantages
– Has put on approximately 40-45 pounds of mass since high school
– Basketball background shows in his coordination and movement skills
– Foot quickness is really good for his frame to scoot to landmarks
– Balanced footwork and strong hand placement
– Smooth kick slide and ability to mirror speed rushers
– Capable of reaching second level consistently with solid pad level
– Almost always wins pass protection reps
– Reliable anchor against power rushers
– Technique-driven approach with consistent mechanics
– Functional reach ability and willingness to finish blocks
– Strong punch and leverage on contact
– Helped Northwestern reach 2,000+ yards rushing in 2025
– 38 consecutive starts at LT to end his college career
– One of the team captains this past season
– Transitioned from a lead-by-example style to a vocal leader and was considered by coaches as the team standard for work ethic
– No injury history
THE BAD
– Appears to have below-average arm length for playing LT
– Can struggle to redirect quickly against counters
– Footwork occasionally narrows or steps underneath
– Reaction to stunts/twists is inconsistent, which leads to late pressures or delayed pickups
– Average pull range in space when run blocking
– Limited second-level reach in extended space
– Could benefit from more upper-body strength, especially through his chest
– Wins with mechanics instead of physicality
– Solid, but not dominant in the run game as he’s not a mauler type
– Some teams may see him as more of a guard due to length concerns
STATS
– 43 career starts and has 52 played in a total of games in 5 years at Northwestern
– Career: 2,960 total snaps (2,437 LT, 502 RT, 2 RG)
– 121 total special teams snaps (all on Field Goal Kick)
– 9 total sacks allowed, 17 hits allowed, 37 hurries allowed, and 13 penalties per PFF
– 61.6 run blocking grade per PFF
– 78.1 pass blocking grade per PFF
– 2025: Started all 13 games
– 2 sacks, 7 hurries, 1 hit allowed, and 3 penalties per PFF
– 59.7 run block grade (66.2 zone block grade on 236 snaps, 50.2 gap block grade on 141 snaps) per PFF
– 84.3 pass block grade (80.3 true pass set blocking grade, 97.7 efficiency rating) per PFF
INJURY HISTORY
– No known history
BACKGROUND
– DOB: 1/23/2003 (23 years old)
– Grew up in Beverly Hills, MI, and attended Detroit Country Day School
– 4-star recruit according to 247Sports
– 2025 Team captain
– 2025 2nd Team All-Big Ten
– 2024 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
– Two-time Academic All-Big Ten (2023-24)
– Dual sport athlete in high school, playing football and basketball (4-year varsity player)
– Two-time basketball team captain and a football team captain in his senior season
– Recorded 59 tackles, 22 for loss, and 8.5 sacks in 2019 H.S. season as a defensive end
– Named to all-state team his senior season after helping lead his team to the state championship
– Described by the Northwestern coaches as “workhorse” with a high motor
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Caleb Tiernan was as steady as they come, playing left tackle at a high level for the Northwestern Wildcats, starting in every single game his last 3 years. He is a technically polished, experienced tackle whose pass-blocking reliability is his defining asset in translating his skillset to the NFL. While he may lack the elite length or movement ceiling, his consistency, intelligence, and footwork give him a leg up on other guys. He’ll need to continue improving his upper body strength and refining his run-blocking skills to be more consistent as a complete tackle.
One of his elite traits as a pass blocker is being able to mirror edge rushers, where he keeps himself square to his target with exceptional footwork and hand usage. Tiernan is #72 in all of the following clips.
pic.twitter.com/jRNkZ9s5ZH
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) February 18, 2026
Whether it’s speed or power, he does a really nice job of landing his punches and keeping guys outside in the arc.
pic.twitter.com/rbnGL6Ye32
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) February 18, 2026
One area as a blindside protector that I would like to see him improve is his tendency to use both hands to attack his target first, rather than using independent hands more often. He doesn’t technically lose the rep here, but it’s mostly because the rusher falls down.
pic.twitter.com/1QRB2H16sB
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) February 18, 2026
Some of his sacks that were given were also due to late hands being up and power rushers like Josiah Stewart last year getting the best of him underneath his pads.
pic.twitter.com/ve9vEidJgE
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) February 18, 2026
As a run blocker, Tiernan wins with technique and getting out in space as a puller or making it to the second level, where he will use his length and drive to plow through guys. He won’t overwhelm anyone with his power, but it’s adequate for the position.
pic.twitter.com/e2pvjWEul9
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) February 18, 2026
pic.twitter.com/fWoQSCRlTB
— Happy Days (@Jh86Guy) February 18, 2026
CONCLUSION
Tiernan projects as a high-floor, blindside protector in the NFL whose ceiling comes from technique and athletic balance rather than overwhelming power and physical traits. I think he could come in and be a nice depth piece at first, but could eventually start at tackle or guard if a team chooses to put him there.
I can understand the argument for possibly moving to guard, but his footwork and pass protection skills are more than good enough that he can be out on an island at left tackle. He also anchors well, so it’s not like he’s completely overwhelmed by bull and power. I also wonder if his strengths would be mitigated if he were moved inside, also.
It was difficult to find a really tall left tackle with elite pass protection skills and shorter arms, but I landed on Ryan Clifton of the Green Bay Packers. He was a very reliable, surgical technician as a left tackle during their years of Brett Favre and a young Aaron Rodgers. He was not a people mover in the run game, but was solid enough to not be a liability, which to me is the path for Tiernan to make his mark in the NFL.
NFL Projection: Mid-Late Day 2
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 8.4 (Long-Term Starter)
Grade Range: 7.9-8.8
Games Watched: vs. Oregon (2025), at Penn State (2025), vs Ohio State (2024), at Michigan (2024)
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