Ethan Driskell Bio
Ethan Driskell is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd from 2019 to 2023. Driskell was born on June 29, 2000, in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Holy Cross High School, where he excelled in football and basketball before committing to play at the collegiate level. Despite going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Driskell signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and made the team’s initial 53-player roster, proving himself as a developmental talent at the offensive tackle position. With a height of 6 feet 8 inches and a weight of 313 pounds, Driskell possesses the physical stature considered valuable for protecting quarterbacks at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Ethan Driskell grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, where he attended Holy Cross High School. During his time at Holy Cross, Driskell lettered in both football and basketball, demonstrating athletic versatility beyond just football. His performance on the football field at the high school level earned him recognition and set the stage for his collegiate career. The experience he gained playing multiple sports likely contributed to the footwork and coordination skills he would later apply to his offensive line position.
Driskell’s success at Holy Cross High School attracted attention from college programs across the region. His dedication to football during his high school years positioned him to continue his athletic career at the NCAA Division I level. After considering his options, Driskell made the decision to commit to continue his academic and athletic career at Marshall University, where he would have the opportunity to develop his skills against high-level collegiate competition.
Path to Professional Football
Driskell began his collegiate career at Marshall University in 2019. He was redshirted during his true freshman season, which allowed him to practice with the team while preserving his eligibility. This developmental year gave him time to adjust to the college-level competition and refine his technique at the offensive tackle position. The redshirt season is common for young players at major programs, providing them an opportunity to bulk up and learn the system before competing for playing time.
During the 2020 season, his second year with the Thundering Herd, Driskell appeared in nine games. He continued to build his experience and comfort level within Marshall’s offensive scheme. By the 2021 season, he had worked his way into a reserve role and appeared in all 13 games for the team. His consistency and improvement throughout these seasons demonstrated his reliability and work ethic to the coaching staff.
The 2022 season marked Driskell’s breakthrough, as he earned a starting role on the offensive line. He played in and started all 13 games that season, showcasing his ability to handle the physical and mental demands of a full-time starter. His performance during this campaign established him as a key component of Marshall’s offensive front. The following year, in 2023, Driskell continued his strong play, starting 11 of the 13 games he appeared in and earning third-team All-Sun Belt honors. This recognition highlighted his status as one of the better offensive tackles in the conference.
Ethan Driskell Career
College Career (2019–2023)
Ethan Driskell’s five-year tenure at Marshall University saw him develop from a redshirt freshman into a recognized collegiate offensive tackle. After his redshirt season in 2019, Driskell steadily increased his role within the program. His journey through the Thundering Herd offense reflected his dedication to improvement and his capacity to handle increased responsibilities. The coaching staff’s confidence in him grew with each season, culminating in his first full-time starting role in 2022.
Throughout his college career, Driskell appeared in 48 games across five seasons, starting 24 of them. His versatility and durability were notable attributes, as he rarely missed game time due to injury. The experience he gained facing diverse defensive schemes and players in the Sun Belt Conference prepared him for the challenges of professional football. His third-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2023 served as validation for his development into a legitimate NFL prospect, despite the eventual outcome of the draft process.
Kansas City Chiefs (2024–Present)
Despite an impressive collegiate career, Ethan Driskell went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. Rather than viewing this as a setback, Driskell continued his pursuit of a professional football career. Following the draft, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. This opportunity allowed him to compete for a roster spot with one of the NFL’s premier franchises known for developing talent and winning championships.
Driskell’s journey with the Chiefs included additional interest from other professional leagues. He was selected by the Birmingham Stallions in the tenth round of the 2024 United Football League (UFL) Draft on July 17, 2024. However, Driskell chose to focus his efforts on earning a spot with the Chiefs. Through training camp and the preseason, he demonstrated the physical tools and technical skills that warranted consideration for the roster.
His perseverance paid off when he was named among the final 53 players who made the Chiefs’ initial Week 1 roster. As an undrafted free agent making the roster of a defending Super Bowl champion, Driskell proved that his abilities could translate to the professional level. He wears number 75 for the Chiefs and serves as an active member of the offensive line rotation. In his rookie season, he appeared in two games while continuing to develop behind experienced tackles on the roster.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ethan Driskell brings impressive physical measurables to the offensive tackle position. His height of 6 feet 8 inches gives him the length teams seek in blindside protectors for quarterbacks. His experience at Marshall, where he faced various defensive schemes and talented pass rushers in the Sun Belt Conference, provided him with a foundation of technical knowledge. Driskell’s lateral movement ability and footwork, skills that may have been refined through his basketball background at Holy Cross High School, aid him in handling speed rushers at the professional level. His collegiate track record of durability and consistent participation demonstrates the physical toughness required for the demanding offensive line position.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Driskell’s career to date came in 2024 when he made the Kansas City Chiefs’ initial 53-player roster as an undrafted free agent. This accomplishment placed him among a select group of players who secure roster spots with top NFL franchises despite not being drafted. His selection to the third-team All-Sun Belt during his senior season at Marshall represents his highest individual collegiate honor. Additionally, his experience being selected in the UFL Draft demonstrates that other professional leagues recognized his potential as a player worth investing in for their own rosters.
Ethan Driskell Career Statistics
During his rookie season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, Ethan Driskell appeared in two regular season games as a member of the active roster. He did not record any starts during his inaugural NFL campaign, but his presence on the 53-player roster throughout the season indicates the coaching staff saw value in his development potential. Across his five seasons at Marshall from 2019 to 2023, Driskell established himself as a reliable contributor, appearing in 48 games with 24 starts during his career.
College Statistics (Marshall Thundering Herd)
Ethan Driskell’s college career spanned five seasons with the Thundering Herd. His most productive season came in 2022 when he started all 13 games at the tackle position. He followed this with another strong campaign in 2023, starting 11 games and earning third-team All-Sun Belt recognition. Earlier in his career, he served in backup roles, appearing in nine games in 2020 and all 13 games in 2021 as a reserve. His progression from a redshirt freshman to a full-time starter reflects his commitment to continuous improvement throughout his collegiate career.
Professional Statistics (NFL)
In the 2024 NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Driskell appeared in two games. He was active for game days but did not earn any starts during his rookie year. As a member of one of the NFL’s most successful teams, Driskell benefited from working alongside experienced offensive linemen and coaches who could accelerate his development. His continued presence on the roster through the season suggests the Chiefs see long-term potential in his physical tools and work ethic.
Ethan Driskell Family
Personal Life
Ethan Driskell was born on June 29, 2000, in Louisville, Kentucky, making him 24 years old as of 2024. He grew up in the Louisville area and attended Holy Cross High School in his hometown. His athletic family background and community ties to Louisville contributed to his development as a student-athlete. Driskell’s Twitter handle, @ethan_driskell3, indicates he maintains a public presence on social media platforms where he shares updates about his football career.
2025 Season Outlook
As Ethan Driskell enters his second season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025, he looks to build upon the foundation established during his rookie campaign. With another year of NFL coaching, training, and experience under his belt, Driskell has the opportunity to push for increased playing time on the offensive line. The Chiefs’ coaching staff will continue to evaluate his progress and determine how best to utilize his physical tools. Driskell’s development will likely depend on his ability to refine his technique and demonstrate consistency in practice, which could open doors to more significant roles on the team. The combination of his youth, height, and collegiate experience suggests he has the tools to potentially develop into a valuable contributor for Kansas City in the seasons ahead.