Octavien is of Haitian descent, and attended Lely High School. He became a starter at linebacker as a sophomore. In his last 2 years he was used as a two-way player. In his junior season, he won the state title in the discus throw and finished second as a senior. In 2003, his personal-best throw of 193-7 was the tenth-best prep mark in the nation.
College career
Octavien enrolled at Harper College. As freshman, he posted 124 tackles, 8 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 blocked field goals and one blocked punt, while contributing to a 10-1 record. In 2004, he played in only four games because of an injury. He also was a track standout, running the second leg on the school’s 2004 national champion 4 × 400 metres relay team and winning the Division III junior college discus throw title with a mark of 164-7. Octavien accepted a football scholarship from the University of Nebraska. In 2005, he was injured in the season opener against the University of Maine, and was lost for the year. As a redshirt junior, he only played in 9 games after missing 4 four contests while rehabbing a leg injury. He posted 32 tackles, one sack, 2 passes defensed, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble, while contributing for a defense that ranked in the top 25 nationally in scoring defense. As a senior, he started 8 out of 12 games at Will linebacker, leading the team with 92 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 9 quarterback hurries. He also had 3 passes defensed and 2 sacks. He was named the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player. Played in 22 games with 10 starts in three years at Nebraska, finishing with 128 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 21.0 ~ tackles for losses, 1 1 pressures, five breakups and a forced fumble.
On November 20, 2008, he was signed by the Washington Redskins to their practice squad.
Dallas Cowboys
On November 30, 2008, the Dallas Cowboys signed Octavien from the Washington Redskins practice squad. He was declared inactive in his first 2 games, before making his NFL debut with 2 special teams tackles and a forced fumble against the Baltimore Ravens. In 2009, he played in 14 games and tied for fourth on the team with 12 special teams tackles. He was released on September 4, 2010.
Cleveland Browns
On December 22, 2010, he was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns. He wasn't re-signed at the end of the season.
On April 3, 2012, the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League signed him as a free agent. His value showed during the season on the field and in the locker room, as a veteran who became a leader for younger teammates.
On February 16, 2013, he was signed by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League to a two-year contract. He was released before the start of the season.
