Background
Caleb Tiernan attended Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, Michigan, where he was a two-way starter at left tackle and defensive tackle and a four-year starting varsity basketball player. A four-star recruit, he committed to Northwestern over Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. He redshirted in 2021, started 18 games at tackle across 2022 and 2023, 13 at left and five on the right, then started all 12 games at left tackle in both 2024 and 2025, finishing with 38 consecutive starts and over 3,000 career snaps. Head coach David Braun named him a team captain and praised his work ethic and calm demeanor as the standard for younger teammates. In 2025, PFF twice named him to its National Team of the Week. He also had an eight-game stretch where he did not allow a sack. He finished the season giving up only three sacks in 788 offensive snaps. Former Northwestern teammate Peter Skoronski, a first-round pick, has counseled him through the pre-draft process. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Physical Attributes
The explosive tests surprised me here for Tiernan. Watching his tape, the word I would use to describe his brand of athleticism is controlled, not explosive. He has a sturdy base and combines it with about a 7.5/10 level core strength. His upper body really lacks power. In pass protection he slides smoothly, and even though he has small hands, they are quite strong.
Data and Tape Analysis
If you are unfamiliar with my OL radar charts, you can find more information here
Some people will look at Tiernan's arms and hands and say he should be a guard. I really do not agree with that, mostly because I think if you are a pass-blocking specialist and a negative in the run game, you should be outside. That is exactly what Tiernan is.
Tiernan is makes pass blocking look easy. He slides really well to his spot, and never compromises his base. He can get beat by speed from outside to in, but if he gets his hands on you, you are going nowhere. The timing of his punch is very solid, and he lands them in good spots. Only really strong bull rushes expose his slight weakness in his core. Tiernan just never looks out of control.
In the run game, Tiernan leaves a lot to be desired. I think he has to be in a zone scheme as the only good work he does is in double teams. As an individual blocker, he gets no pushback at all. He looks like a decent athlete in space, but can barely push back a safety. The most damning part of the tape is just how little Northwestern ran to their left. You would expect them to run behind their best blocker more than the 48% of the time they did.
Grade and Outlook
Caleb Tiernan has everything to be a successful pass protector in the league, but will struggle mightily as a run blocker. I am not sure how he will overcome that weakness, but pass-protecting LTs are always in style, so I am sure he will get a chance.
Grade: 5.5 (3rd Rounder)
