ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Caleb Lohner’s path to professional football is an unconventional one. A former basketball player at Wasatch Academy with dreams of an NBA career, Lohner’s journey took a surprising turn when he was introduced to football while at the University of Utah.
After spending two years at BYU and another two at Baylor, Lohner found himself on the football field in 2024. Although it had been years since he last played football in eighth grade, his brief yet impactful experience with the Utah Utes led to a remarkable opportunity with the Denver Broncos. In his first season with the Utes, Lohner caught just four passes, but all of them were touchdowns—a feat that caught the attention of NFL scouts.
Reflecting on his career shift, Lohner said, “I’ve been surrounded by so many great people who believed in me. I’m just grateful for this opportunity. Now that I’m here, my focus is helping the team however I can.”
Standing at 6-foot-8, Lohner’s unique physical attributes have made him a standout prospect. His height and athleticism are advantages that he’s eager to leverage as he adapts to the challenges of the NFL.
“It’s incredible to be here,” Lohner added. “I’m taking it one day at a time, learning as much as I can about the game. This is the best place for me to grow as a football player.”
Despite his late start in football, Lohner’s basketball background gives him an edge, particularly in the physicality department. His size and jumping ability make him a threat on the field, an asset he’s eager to refine.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of athletic traits,” Lohner explained. “Being tall and having those skills has helped me in a lot of sports, and now I’m hoping to use those to succeed in football.”
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who has experience coaching elite tight ends, including Jimmy Graham, has taken note of Lohner’s potential. Graham, like Lohner, transitioned from basketball to football late in his career, and he went on to become one of the NFL’s most celebrated tight ends.
“This is a guy who has a limited football background, but you can see the traits,” Payton said. “He’s still learning, but there’s something there that excites us. We’ll coach him up and see where it takes him.”
For Lohner, the comparison to Graham is encouraging. He’s familiar with Graham’s career and has watched his highlights to learn how to succeed in the NFL.
“I’ve definitely studied Jimmy Graham,” Lohner admitted. “We have similar size, and while I’ve still got a long way to go, I know that learning and improving every day is the key to reaching that level.”
As Lohner embarks on this new chapter of his career with the Broncos, his focus remains on growth, both as a player and as a person. With determination and the support of his coaches and teammates, Lohner hopes to make his mark on the NFL, turning his once unexpected football journey into a lasting success.
