Ethan Fernea

BIOGRAPHY

Ethan W. Fernea, a formidable figure in the sphere of American football, was born on the 2nd of March, 1998, in Austin, Texas. From an early age, his innate talent for sports was apparent, finding fruition during his time at Dripping Springs High School. Within the realm of football, Fernea’s sports career reached unprecedented heights, with the young athlete earning three varsity letters during his high school tenure. His prowess on both the offensive and defensive sides of the field was recognized with first-team All-District accolades. Outside the football field, he demonstrated his athletic versatility by playing three seasons of baseball, even earning All-District and All-CenTex honors, and spending three years perfecting his agility on the track field.

Despite Fernea’s significant achievements at Dripping Springs High, his recruitment bids were initially lackluster, with only Air Force extending a scholarship offer. Even though he declined the offer in favor of playing football at a higher level, fate, in the form of his family ties, played an integral part in continuing his football journey. In the Christmas season of 2015, Fernea’s father and uncle found themselves befriending Robbie Paton’s father, a recruiter for the globally recognized UCLA Bruins. Recognizing the potential Fernea exhibited on his highlight tapes, the recruiter introduced Fernea’s football capabilities to the UCLA staff, who extended an intriguing proposition for the, then unrecruited, young athlete.

Against the odds, Fernea successfully managed to become a member of the UCLA Bruins; however, his position on the depth chart initially relegated him to action on special teams. His 2016 debut as a true freshman saw him playing a single game and eight more during the 2017 season. However, 2018 was a turning point for Fernea, where not only did he participate in every game of the season but also saw his first action on offense.

His persistent efforts piqued the interest of the Bruins’ coach, Chip Kelly. As a testament to Fernea’s growing importance on the Bruins’ team, he was granted a scholarship for the 2019 season, despite his unfortunate leg injury during the spring camp. True to his spirit, his recovery was swift; and by fall, he had been presented with the number 36 jersey, a poignant tribute to the late Nick Pasquale. This marked a series of firsts for Fernea; in a game against Colorado, he scored his first collegiate career touchdown. Not only did he play every game of the season but also started two matches against formidable teams – Colorado and Utah.

In 2020, in a fresh twist of events, Fernea’s primary position was changed from wide receiver to running back. Despite the shortened football season owing to the global pandemic, Fernea made his mark with a 33-yard receiving touchdown in a game against the rival USC. By the end of the season, he had played six games, with the highest yards-per-catch average on the team for players with more than one reception.

Taking advantage of the extra eligibility awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fernea returned to the Bruins for his final college football season in 2021. His sixth season saw him playing in 11 games, securing 10 rushes for 82 yards, and registering a remarkable touchdown during the Bruins’ astounding 62–33 triumph over USC. At the end of his college football journey, Fernea was awarded the Tommy Prothro Award as a recognition of his indomitable spirit and remarkable contribution to the special teams.

Despite his limited college playing time, Fernea’s talent didn’t go unnoticed. In 2022, the Indianapolis Colts envisioned his potential and signed him as an undrafted free agent after the NFL draft. Although waived during the final roster cuts in August, Fernea was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. In a game against the Tennessee Titans, he made his NFL debut and displayed his skills on 10 combined offense and special teams snaps. He pledged his commitment to the Colts by signing a reserve/future contract in January 2023. However, a sudden injury put him on the injured reserve list in August 2023, leading to him waiving with an injury settlement five days later. Regardless, Fernea’s grit and drive saw his return to the practice squad in December of 2023, and re-signed a reserve/future contract in January 2024.

Ethan W. Fernea’s journey in the world of American Football, fraught with challenges and crowned with triumphs, stands testament to his burning passion for the sport and unwavering determination.