2021: Started in and played all 13 games at center ... named semifinalist for Campbell Trophy ... named Academic All-MAC ... named to National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society ... named First Team All-MAC ... helped produce one of the top offenses in the MAC averaging 32.5 points per game ... helped the Broncos average 4.7 yards per carry on the ground ... helped produce 1,000-yard rusher Sean Tyler ... named Academic All-MAC ... named to National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society ... started in and helped secure Quick Lane Bowl victory over Nevada.Â
2020: CoSIDA Academic All-American ... MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete ... CoSIDA Academic All-District ... Academic All-MAC ... First Team All-MAC ... Started all six games and played all 397 snaps during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season ... Was the offensive line's top run-blocker, per Pro Football Focus ... Did not allow a sack or QB hit on the year, with just two QB hurries and one penalty ... Blocked for a WMU offense which ranked among the top-10 nationally in points per game (41.7), 16th in FBS in total offense (479.7 yards per game) and 10th in FBS in sacks allowed per game (1.17).
2019: Second team All-MAC ... Academic All-MAC ... MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete ... first team CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 ... started all 13 games ... helped the Broncos finish with top-three MAC rankings in total offensive yards per game (445.7; 2nd), third down conversion percentage (.453; 2nd), fewest fumbles lost (6; 2nd), fewest turnovers lost (14; 2nd) and points per game (33.1; 3rd) … nationally, the WMU offense stood in the top 30 in fewest turnovers lost (20th), third down conversion percentage (23rd), total offensive yards per game (25th), fewest fumbles lost (26th), rushing yards per game (205.1; 28th) and points per game (30th) … helped the Broncos finish as the only Mid-American Conference team to compile 2,600+ rushing yards and 3,000+ passing yards … key member of an offense that stood third in the conference and 18th nationally in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.38) … offensive line also ranked fourth in the MAC in fewest tackles for loss yielded per contest (5.08) … efforts helped the Broncos produce eight plays from scrimmage of 60 or more yards, doubling the team’s total from the 2018 season … part of an offensive line that opened holes for running back LeVante Bellamy, who was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, given to the top running back in college football … helped tight end Giovanni Ricci become one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award, presented to the nation’s top collegiate tight end … contributed to the success of quarterback Jon Wassink, who stood 29th nationally in total passing yards (3,097), 35th in total offensive yards per game (262.8), 37th in passing yards per completion (12.85) and 39th in passing yards per game (238.2) ... on the field for 967 snaps.
2018: Academic All-MAC ... MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete ... started all 13 games ... helped open holes for a Western Michigan rushing attack that averaged 199.46 yards per contest, third best in the Mid-American Conference ... member of WMU’s offense that ranked among the MAC leaders in time of possession (33:36; 1st), fewest sacks allowed per game (1.54; 2nd), passing yards per game (237.4; 3rd), total offensive yards per game (436.8; 3rd), fewest turnovers lost (19; 4th), fewest passes intercepted (9; 4th), fewest tackles for loss allowed per game (5.15; 4th), points per game (32.0; 4th) and total first downs (296; 4th) … in addition to top-50 national offensive rankings for fewest sacks allowed per game (38th) and fewest tackles for loss allowed per game (32nd), helped the Broncos to top-50 marks in time of possession (6th), total first downs (31st), total offensive yards per game (35th), rushing yards per game (38th), points per game (38th) and fewest passes intercepted (43rd) … aided in the protection of QBs Jon Wassink and Kaleb Eleby, who combined to complete 243-of-396 (.614) passes for 3,086 yards with 20 touchdowns against just nine interceptions ... opened holes for Western Michigan’s ground attack that featured three backs with 350+ yards and 32 total rushing TDs ... guided the Broncos to bowl eligibility for the fifth-straight season, a program record, and a trip to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl … on the field for 900 snaps.
2017: Academic All-MAC ... MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete ... played in all 12 games and started 10 ... part of a Bronco offensive unit that ranked among the MAC leaders in rushing yards per game (224.8; 2nd), points per game (33.9; 3rd), fewest turnovers lost (18; 3rd), third down conversion percentage (.395; 3rd) and fourth down conversion percentage (.600; 3rd) ... helped WMU to top-50 national offensive rankings for rushing yards per game (21st), points per game (25th), fewest passes intercepted (8; 29th), fourth down conversion percentage (34th), fewest sacks allowed per game (1.83; 47th) and fewest turnovers lost (48th) ... opened holes for Western Michigan’s ground attack that featured Jarvion Franklin’s 1,228 rushing yards, the second most in the MAC and 28th most nationally … key piece of the blocking scheme for Franklin’s 102.3 rushing yards per game, the second-highest average in the conference … four Bronco running backs combined for 2,354 yards with each averaging 4.3+ yards per attempt ... on the field for 777 snaps.
2016: Did not experience game action.
PRIOR TO WESTERN MICHIGAN: A three-star prospect, according to ESPN.com ... ranked the No. 11 prospect in Wisconsin by ESPN.com ... team captain as a senior ... following final campaign, earned Associated Press All-State first team honors and was named the Brookfield East MVP ... selected Greater Metro Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year ... led team to a 10-2 record in 2015 and Level 3 playoffs ... earned All-Conference Scholar Athlete honors.
PERSONAL: Born October 21, 1997 ... son of Sue and Charlie Caliendo ... graduated from Western Michigan in December, 2019, with a degree in biomedical sciences ... pursuing a master’s in biomedical sciences and applying to medical schools ... uncle, Chris Caliendo, earned three letters (1987-88-89) as a linebacker at Nebraska, helping the Cornhuskers to a 31-6 record, three final Associated Press rankings within the top 12, two Fiesta Bowl appearances, one Orange Bowl trip and the 1988 Big Eight championship while earning honorable mention All-Big Eight accolades in 1988 ... uncle, Cary Caliendo, earned four letters (1987-88-89-90) as a defensive end at Northern Illinois, earning first team Freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News in 1987, receiving honorable mention All-America accolades from Football News in 1990, leading NIU in sacks for four consecutive years and ending career ranked second in sacks (31.0) and third in tackles for loss (53.0).
