Former Utah LB Francis Bernard Likely Improved Draft Stock After NFL Combine
Mar 1, 2020, 4:49 PM | Updated: 4:49 pm
Utah Utes linebacker Francis Bernard (13) celebrates after tackling Colorado Buffaloes running back Alex Fontenot (8) for a loss during the second half of a NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (Colter Peterson, Deseret News)
(Colter Peterson, Deseret News)
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Former Utah Utes linebacker Francis Bernard likely improved his draft stock after the results that he had at the NFL Combine.
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Bernard was projected before the Combine be selected towards the end of the draft but he certainly helped his draft stock after his performance in Indianapolis.
The NFL hands out prospect grades to each participant in the Combine that is based off of everything they do. The grading scale is from 5.0 to 8.0. An 8.0 grade is considered a perfect prospect. Bernard was given a 5.56 grade which is considered “chance to make end of roster or practice squad.”
Here are the measurements for Bernard at the Combine.
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 234 lbs.
- Arms: 31 7/8″
- Hands: 9 7/8″
"I can do it all."
What @FrancisJBernard will bring to the @NFL team that calls his name. #UtesInTheCombine pic.twitter.com/9h32RAc5kM
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 27, 2020
40-Yard Dash
Bernard completed his 40-yard dash in 4.81 seconds. That is the 21st fastest time among all of the linebackers. He finished just behind Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Evan Weaver from Cal who had a 4.76 40-yard dash.
Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons had a ridiculous time of 4.39 to lead all linebackers.
Bench Press
Francis Bernard was a standout on the bench press with 19 reps of 225 lbs. That was the seventh most reps among the linebackers at the Combine. Kansas LB Azur Kamara had just 13 reps which was the lowest.
Khaleke Hudson from Michigan put up the most reps of 30.
Vertical Jump
The former Utah linebacker leaped 32.5 inches in the vertical jump. That result was tied with Wisconsin’s Zack Baun, Shaun Bradley from Temple and Curtis Weaver from Boise State for 11th highest among the linebackers.
Montana LB Dante Olson had the highest vertical leap of 42 inches.
Broad Jump
In the broad jump, Bernard recorded a 120-inch performance. He tied for 11th in the entire group of linebackers at the Combine. Bernard joined Michigan’s Khaleke Hudson and Miami’s Shaquille Quarterman with 120 inches.
Willie Gay Jr. from Mississippi State had the longest jump of 136 inches.
Bernard did not compete in the three-cone drill and the 20-yard shuttle.
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