2022 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: LB Terrel Bernard, Baylor

Nick takes a look at a promising inside linebacker with a lot of upside: Terrel Bernard of Baylor.

Terrel Bernard, LB

Height: 6’0 1/2″
Weight: 220 lbs. Baylor
Class: Senior
School: Baylor
Wingspan: 74″
Length: 30 5/8″
Hand: 9 1/8″

A former three-star recruit out of La Porte Texas High School who was the 141st ranked player in Texas during the 2017 recruiting cycle.

Notables

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Bernard finished second-team All-Big 12 in 2021 after a solid 103 tackle season, where he had 12.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, and four passes defended. He frequently blitzed--and was very effective--in Dave Aranda and Ron Roberts’ aggressive defense; he had 36 pressures and 53 STOPS in 2021. Bernard tweaked his hamstring before the first Senior Bowl practice, which held him out of practice.

Strengths

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

• Angular build with good overall flexibility
• Solid athletic ability; moves well in space
• Changes direction well with good lateral movement skills
• Has good fluidity in his hips to ROBOT and locate
• Very quick to diagnose and penetrate
• Has a quick trigger and his a decisive player
• Active run defender in the box with quick hands
• Quick eyes to diagnose blocking schemes and react - knows where to be in the defense
• Despite his lack of ideal size, he can deliver big hits
• Uses hands well to fend off bigger offensive lineman
• Heavy hands when asked to pass rush for a linebacker
• Good coverage player with the necessary athletic traits
• Was frequently asked to carry the #3 across the field - did well
• Effective in coverage in short to intermediate
• Experience in match principled defense and did well
• Moves well enough to cover out to the flat on bootlegs
• Very good blitzer who understands angles uses his hands well, and has power to his punch when his momentum is going forward
• An energetic player who flies around the field
• Excellent competitive toughness in all areas

Weaknesses/Can Improve

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

• Undersized player
• Lacks ideal length (in less than the tenth percentile of arm length)
• Limited tackle radius
• Good in coverage, but transitions aren’t always great
• Makes highlight reel pops, and has heavy hands, but play strength is only adequate overall
• If OL get into him, he could be in trouble
• Well disguised passes can lead to Bernard over-pursuing
• Had 17 missed tackles in his senior season

Summary

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Overall, Terrel Bernard is an energetic linebacker who has a box presence, and he can cover well. Has very good processing skills, and he’s quick to diagnose and penetrate against the run.He’s a good overall athlete (not elite in terms of play speed), and he’s undersized, but he can impact the game against the run, in coverage, and as a blitzer. He should make an excellent special teams player who can easily earn defensive snaps due to good fundamental play and an insatiable work ethic.

GRADE: 6.16

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