From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Alabama WR Germie Bernard.

No. 5 Germie Bernard/Alabama – 6-0, 202 pounds (Senior)
MEASUREMENTS

Player
Ht/Wt
Hand Size
Arm Length
Wingspan

Germie Bernard
6-0/202
N/A
N/A
N/A

40-Yard Dash
10-Yard Dash
Short Shuttle
3-Cone

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Broad Jump
Vertical
Bench Press

N/A
N/A
N/A

THE GOOD

– Great frame for the position, play strength shows itself on film
– Large frame helps him maintain contact balance after the catch, bounces off the first tackler consistently
– Not the fastest player in the world, but understands how to change pace coming in and out of route breaks
– Very refined route runner
– Understands defenses well, consistently finds the right spots to sit between defenders against zone coverage
– Comfortable playing both outside and in the slot, will bring some positional versatility to the NFL, even played running back occasionally at Alabama
– Strong hands in traffic
– Reliable hands in general, no issues with concentration drops
– Nuanced route running, utilizes subtle moves like head fakes, and understands how to use leverage against man coverage
– Excels over the middle of the field
– Will compete for the ball in contested-catch situations
– Willing blocker, not afraid to get physical with defensive backs
– Some experience returning kicks

THE BAD

– Lacks top-end speed, won’t be a consistent deep threat in the NFL
– Physical after the catch, but doesn’t offer much elusiveness
– Smaller arms hurt him in jump-ball situations
– Although he isn’t afraid to block, the technique needs refinement
– Needs to be more efficient off the line of scrimmage against corners playing press coverage
– Collegiate production mostly came against zone coverage, so he’ll need to be more consistent against man at the NFL level

STATS

– 53 total collegiate games, 2,203 total receiving yards on 155 receptions (14.2 per rec.), 13 touchdowns
– 2022: Seven receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns
– 2023: 34 receptions for 419 yards and two touchdowns
– 2024: 50 receptions for 794 yards and two touchdowns
– 2025: 64 receptions for 862 yards and seven touchdowns
– 12 games for Michigan State (2022), 14 for Washington (2023), 27 at Alabama (2024/2025)
– 36 total collegiate carries for 184 yards, five touchdowns
– Attempted three total passes, completed all three for 29 yards
– Returned 16 kickoffs for 352 total yards

INJURY HISTORY

– 2023: Missed Week 7 against Arizona State with an ankle injury, the same injury that limited him in the CFP Championship Game against Michigan
– 2025: Missed Week 13 against Northern Illinois with undisclosed injury
– 2026: Pulled out of Senior Bowl, citing injury reasons

BACKGROUND

– DOB: 12/02/2003 (22-years old)
– Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
– Attended Liberty High School In Henderson, NV
– Consensus Four-Star recruit out of high school
– Initially committed to Washington, but flipped commitment to Michigan State after a coach left
– Transferred to Washington after the 2022 season
– Transferred to Alabama for the 2024 and 2025 seasons
– Wanted to become more of a leader once joining Alabama, teammates called him “Uncle Germ”

TAPE BREAKDOWN

Germie Bernard is quite fun to watch. One of the first things that jumps off the tape is the physicality he brings to the game. He’s not especially large, but Bernard loves to get physical with defenders.

One of the best examples of that is his ability to make things happen after the catch. He’s not going to make defenders miss in a phone booth, but Bernard certainly knows how to make them bounce off of him.

Bernard motions into the backfield before running this designed carry. For the most part, the defense plays this well, limiting Bernard on the play. But this is a good example of his terrific contact balance. He breaks multiple tackles on this play, and more often than not, he finds a way to get past the first tackler.

However, Bernard breaks those tackles by being tougher than the defenders, not by making them miss. That works at the college level, but it’s less likely in the NFL. When it comes to speed and agility, Bernard is somewhat deficient.

Bernard doesn’t really have the top-end speed necessary to burn defenders on deep routes and has to win with technique. After the catch, he’s not going to outrun many defenders either. Bernard has ample room after catching this pass, but can’t beat anybody around the corner. Not offering much in terms of agility, he steps out of bounds. It’s still a great play, but his lack of agility limits it.

While Bernard doesn’t win with pure athleticism, he makes up for it with some tremendous route running. But the mental aspect is where he really takes advantage. Bernard understands angles and how to create leverage against corners.  His route-breaking timing is excellent.

Here, Bernard keeps himself on a straight line with the cornerback at the top of the screen. He knows he’s cutting across the middle. But notice how he waits until the corner shifts his hips, and Bernard makes his break immediately after. It gives him an extra split second and helps him win the route easily. These things are hard to teach, but Bernard is a very smart and nuanced route runner.

A majority of his production came against zone coverage, something Bernard knows how to break down.

This is another route where Bernard takes his time before breaking. He knows the corner has to take the flat route, and the safety has to stick with the seam. Once that opening is there, he immediately turns around and is ready for the pass.

However, Bernard didn’t produce as much against man coverage as some would have liked. His lack of top-end speed and agility really hurt him against talented cornerbacks, and he struggles to win off the line in press coverage. Here, he can’t get a good release off the line, and isn’t able to extend high enough in jump-ball looks either. Too many of his one-on-one reps are lost like this.

Finally, blocking is crucial for receivers as well, and Bernard certainly isn’t afraid of it. His technique needs some work, but what’s most important is his willingness to block.

Bernard is on the line of scrimmage at the top of the screen, and comes across the middle to lay a hit on the safety in the middle of the field. His technique isn’t always this consistent, but the pop is there. There is plenty of hope for him as a blocker in the NFL with his strength and motivation, something we don’t always see from collegiate receivers.

CONCLUSION

Germie Bernard does a lot of things that you’d really want an NFL receiver to do. He isn’t scared of contact in any aspect and brings a physical nature to the position. But he’s not just strong. For being just 22 years old, Bernard is incredibly savvy as a route runner, using head fakes, leverage, and a simple understanding of how to break down zone coverage.

However, his game is somewhat capped. He can run deep routes well, but doesn’t have the speed to be a true every-down deep threat at the NFL level. He also doesn’t have much agility. This hurts him against press coverage It limits what he can do after the catch, despite his impressive contact balance. In terms of a pro comparison, I find myself between Earl Bennett and Jarvis Landry when it comes to Bernard.

NFL Projection: Early Day 2
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 8.3 (Long-Time Starter)
Grade Range: 7.8-8.9
Games Watched: vs LSU (2025), at Georgia (2025), at Florida State (2025)