BYU Left Tackle Caleb Etienne Declares For NFL Draft
Jan 22, 2025, 5:55 PM | Updated: 5:56 pm
BYU offensive lineman Caleb Etienne (76) warms up before a game between the University of Utah Utes and the Brigham Young University Cougars held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
(76)
PROVO, Utah- BYU left tackle Caleb Etienne was granted an additional year of NCAA eligibility via a one-year waiver, but has decided to declare for the NFL Draft.
Etienne, who spent his senior year protecting Jake Retzlaff after a turbulent 2023, earned All-Big 12 honors in 2024, reviving his draft stock after transferring from Oklahoma State to BYU.
THANK GOD! 76🌳 pic.twitter.com/ExEybJNzDc
— Caleb Etienne (@BIG_CALEB76) January 22, 2025
Caleb Etienne was a Junior College All-American in 2019 and was one of the country’s most coveted offensive linemen in the transfer portal. Etienne chose Stillwater, Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys where he spent three years.
By 2023, Caleb was the Cowboys’ starting left tackle, starting every game for Oklahoma State that year. At the time, he still had two more years of eligibility and decided to take his talents elsewhere via the transfer portal.
Etienne committed to BYU in April of 2023 and was expected to be the answer on the left side of the offensive line, but ended up being benched early in the season.
Though he was discouraged by the unexpected setback, Caleb decided not to abandon BYU, returning for his senior season where he was not only improved but dominant. Offseason work helped Etienne become one of the highest-graded offensive tackles in College Football. After the regular season, Caleb Etienne was one of three Cougars to be named to the All-Big 12 First Team
2024 #Big12FB All-Big 12 First Team Offense 🏅 pic.twitter.com/PYFA53miYr
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 5, 2024
Following a restraining order against the NCAA by Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia, the NCAA granted a waiver to all former JUCO athletes for one additional year of eligibility. Although Etienne could have stayed in Provo for one more year, he decided to pursue his NFL dream.
About his time at BYU, Etienne said in a social media post, “It’s a brotherhood I am proud to be a part of and will always be grateful to have… I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished together and all the memories I’ve made… It’s been an honor to represent Brigham Young University and wear the royal and white.”
“I’m excited for the next chapter in my journey,” Caleb said about what’s next, “And can’t wait to keep chasing my dream of playing in the NFL.”
The NFL Draft will take place from Thursday, Apr 24 to Saturday, Apr 26.
