Danny Etling

BIOGRAPHY

Daniel Patrick Etling was born on July 22, 1994, and has established himself as an illustrious figure in American professional football. His current stop in a remarkable career is the Michigan Panthers in the United Football League (UFL). His extensive journey through football has taken him through college football, two seasons in the NFL, and stints with numerous teams over the years.

Daniel’s tryst with football began in Terre Haute, South Vigo High School in Indiana. After a less than satisfactory junior season, he sprung back in his senior year with 1,505 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. This comeback showcased Etling’s resilience, setting the tone for his future career. His leadership abilities were further evidenced in his role as an Eagle Scout.

Etling committed to Purdue University in April 2012 to play college football, rebuffing offers from Colorado and Iowa. When Purdue’s head coach Danny Hope was fired, Etling reassessed his decision. However, after speaking with the new coach, Darrell Hazell, he reaffirmed his commitment to Purdue.

During the 2013 preseason, Etling found himself in a three-way competition for the quarterback position alongside Rob Henry and Austin Appleby. While Henry was the preferred starter, the team’s poor start to the season pressured the management to consider other options. Etling was turned to, following Henry’s struggles in the first few games. Although Purdue lost the game, Etling managed to pass for 241 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Consequently, he was named a starter against Nebraska but suffered a disappointing loss there too. The season ended for Purdue with one victory against eleven losses, with Etling passing for 1690 yards, ten touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Despite the hardships, his quarterback rating stood at a significant 116.1.

Etling retained his starting position for the 2014 season, but eventually found himself behind Appleby on the depth chart. He played five games that season, passing for 800 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions, achieving a quarterback rating of 102.5. Purdue’s end-season record was 3–9.

In June 2015, Etling sought a release from Purdue and found a new home at Louisiana State University (LSU). After sitting out the 2015 season due to NCAA transfer rules, he played as the LSU Tigers’ starting quarterback for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. His two-season tally included 4,586 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The Tigers had a decent run in these two seasons with a 7-4 and 9-3 record in the regular season, keeping a loss and victory in the Citrus Bowl.

His collegiate success drew the attention of the New England Patriots, who drafted him in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft. The Patriots’ preseason saw him complete two of five passes for 21 yards in the inaugural game, improving to 18-32 for 157 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions by the final game. He also made a record 86-yard touchdown run, the longest in Patriots’ preseason history. Etling ended up enjoying a Super Bowl LII victory with the Patriots when they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3.

During the 2019 season’s training camp, Etling switched to the wide receiver position, highlighting his flexibility. Some prominent stints he held in the 2019 NFL season include being signed by the Atlanta Falcons, promoted to the active roster following Matt Ryan’s injury, and later waived off before being re-signed to the practice squad again.

Etling navigated the 2020 season, dealing with a brief spell on the reserve/Covid-19 list. Released later by the Falcons, he had short stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and BC Lions before being re-signed by the Seahawks during their practice squad. However, he was waived off soonafter.

In the next few months, Etling signed onto several practice squads – Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars – but was short-lived in each scenario. He returned to the Packers for a reserve/future contract at the start of 2022, only to be waived later in the year.

Etling ended 2023 by signing a contract with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL), and was re-signed by them in August 2024. This marks his current involvement in professional football, a testament to his perseverance, adaptability, and undeniable talent.