Caleb Tiernan is the kind of prospect who plays to his strengths and understands his weaknesses. With over 40 career starts with Northwestern, he has the kind of experience many NFL scouts value. This article will highlight Caleb Tiernan and his 2026 NFL Draft Profile.
2026 NFL Draft Profile Of Northwestern OT Caleb Tiernan
Measurables
- Height: 6’ 7”
- Weight: 320 lbs
- Arm Length: 32 1/2”
- Hand Size: 9 1/8”
Player Background:
As a four-star recruit out of Detroit Country Day High School, Caleb Tiernan was the 33rd-ranked offensive tackle in the country and a top-ten player in the state of Michigan. He committed to the University of Northwestern during the 2021 recruiting cycle, despite receiving offers from Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State.
He made five starts at right tackle, opposite of Peter Skoronski, during his redshirt freshman season. After Skoronski departed for the NFL, Tiernan stepped into the left tackle position and never looked back. Over his final three seasons with the Wildcats, he started 37 games while averaging a blocking grade of 81.6, according to Pro Football Focus.
Accolades
- Second Team All-Big Ten (2025)
- All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2024)
- Academic All-Big Ten (2024, 2023)
Best Tools
Caleb Tiernan is a technically refined offensive tackle. He rarely gets pushed back into the pocket, which is due to a strong lower half in pass protection. His lower half is incredibly consistent, and this gives him a strong anchor to withstand the best bull rushers. Tiernan always plays with composure against wide-set edge rushers and rarely puts himself in poor leverage positions.
His five years of experience show on tape. Against stunts and blitzes, Tiernan excels at identifying his assignment. He understands the angles he needs to take as a run blocker and has the willingness to jump from one block to another. Tiernan is incredibly clean and sound with his hands. He’s accurate and on time with his hands while maintaining aggression and power.
Tools to Improve
Arm length is always an important aspect of prospect evaluation, and unfortunately, Tiernan possesses below-average arm length. Speed rushers capitalize on his lack of length if he is unable to get the first strike and knock them off course. In the run game, his poor length limits him from staying connected in order to maintain and sustain blocks.
Unfortunately, the power Tiernan plays with in pass protection is not evident in the run game. On one play, he is able to finish off bigger defenders, but on the next, he’ll struggle with defenders much smaller than him. His technical refinement just isn’t the same as a run blocker. Teirnan starts to play with higher pads and a stiffer lower half instead of repeating his elite technical skills in pass protection.
NFL Projection
If Caleb Tiernan played in a more prolific offense than Northwestern, he’d probably be a more recognized prospect. But he has turned experience into results and elite technique in pass protection that give him one of the best floors among offensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft. If Tiernan can refine his skills in the run game, he could be one of the best day two options at his position this April.
Main Photo: [Rick Osentowski] – Imagn Images