After getting drafted in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the impact that Germie Bernard will have in the NFL will go way beyond catching passes and scoring touchdowns.
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard was selected in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Steeler Nation doesn’t know what kind of player they’re getting.
He first started out with Michigan State, and then transferred to Washington. In Seattle, he served as the fourth receiver behind the three-headed monster of Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan.
Then once Kalen DeBoer took the job to be the head coach at the University of Alabama, Bernard followed him.
In two years at Tuscaloosa, Bernard cemented himself as the top receiver for the Crimson Tide, recording 1,656 receiving yards, nine receiving touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.
Amidst that stretch, Bernard only registered three drops. Two in his first season in Tuscaloosa, and just one in his final.
While Alabama likely was anticipating a massive year from wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, it was Bernard who stepped in and became the true gadget guy.
And the coaching staff made sure that Bernard was the ultimate gold standard for the team to follow.
“If it’s not what Germ’s doing, it’s not good enough,” offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said after Alabama’s Week 1 loss to Florida State.
For the rest of the season, both DeBoer and Grubb slotted him everywhere possible.
They had him taking snaps at the wildcat position, they positioned him in the backfield to take rushes, and they even had him attempting pass plays.
Another aspect of Bernard’s game that will fit in perfectly with the Steelers, is his willingness to block.
For the 2025 season, PFF gave Bernard a 71.9 overall blocking grade and a 59.9 run blocking grade.
While the run blocking could use some work, he’s already won coaches over with his willingness to get involved, which is music to NFL coaches' ears.
“If you’re watching the game, I mean, the guy’s running in and blocking their (hybrid safety) that’s running down the middle of the field and smoking that dude,” Grubb said. “Then he’s running down the sideline and catching a play-action pass. His desire and passion for the game, you just see how he plays, whether it’s a run block or a pass play. We just set that as the gold standard.”
Bernard isn’t the type of player that teams will initially zero in on, but he’s the guy that will make you pay for leaving him open.
He’s not the kind of player that seeks the limelight, or demands the ball. He’s just the guy who loves playing the game and acts as a real difference maker.
Still don’t know who Germie Bernard is?
Now you do.
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