Francis Bernard (American football)

Last updated

Francis Bernard
Francis Bernard (52735716393) (cropped).jpg
Bernard with the DC Defenders in 2023
No. 43 – DC Defenders
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1995-04-08) April 8, 1995 (age 29)
South Jordan, Utah, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school: Herriman (Herriman, Utah)
College: Utah
Undrafted: 2020
Career history
Roster status:Suspended
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:10
Player stats at PFR

Francis Bernard (born April 8, 1995) is an American football linebacker for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah.

Contents

Early years

After playing his freshman year of high school football at Bingham High School, he transferred to Herriman High School. [1] As a sophomore, he had 139 carries for 754 yards and 8 touchdowns.

As a junior, he was a two-way player at running back and linebacker, totaling 178 carries for 1,547 yards, 22 touchdowns and 29 tackles and one interception. He received Region Offensive MVP honors, Region 7 and Class 4A All-state honors at running back.

As a senior, he tallied 96 carries for 822 yards, 15 touchdowns, 24 tackles and 4 interceptions. He received Region 7 and Class 4A honorable-mention All-state honors at running back. [2] He committed to Brigham Young University on December 11, 2012. [3] He also practiced basketball and rugby.

Bernard served in a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Atlanta for 2 years.

College career

As a true freshman at BYU in 2015, he was a backup running back and appeared in 10 games. He registered 52 carries for 334 yards (second on the team), a 6.4-yard average, 7 rushing touchdowns (second on the team), 17 receptions for 56 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. [4]

As a sophomore in 2016, he was converted into a linebacker. He started 12 games at outside linebacker, posting 79 tackles (third on the team), 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and 3 pass breakups. [5] He had 16 tackles against Mississippi State University. He was not allowed to play in the 2016 Poinsettia Bowl due to a violation of team rules.

It was later revealed that he was also facing suspension for violating BYU's honor code. [6] Bernard eventually elected to enroll at Rio Salado College, before transferring in August 2018 to the University of Utah. [7] As a junior, he was part of a linebacking corp that included future NFL players Chase Hansen and Cody Barton. He started 2 out of 12 games in place of an injured Hansen. He collected 38 tackles (5 for loss), one interception and two pass breakups. He had 10 tackles against the University of Colorado.

As a senior in 2019, he started 14 games at middle linebacker and was a part of a stout defense that saw 6 players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. He recorded 85 tackles (second on the team), 7.5 tackles for loss (tied for fifth on the team) and 2 interceptions. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 and participated in the 2020 Senior Bowl. [8] He had 12 tackles against Northern Illinois University.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+3⁄8 in
(1.84 m)		234 lb
(106 kg)		31+7⁄8 in
(0.81 m)		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		4.81 s32.5 in
(0.83 m)		10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		19 reps
All values from NFL Combine [9]

Dallas Cowboys

Bernard was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2020 NFL Draft on April 27. [10] He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day. [11] [12] He was elevated to the active roster on October 3 for the team's week 4 game against the Cleveland Browns, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. [13] He was promoted to the active roster on October 10. [14] He was a backup linebacker, appearing in 13 games, while registering one defensive tackle and 4 special teams tackles.

In 2021, he injured his hamstring on the first practice of training camp and reagravated it during the last week of the preseason. On September 2, Bernard was placed on injured reserve to start the season. [15] He was activated on November 6. [16] He appeared in 8 games as a backup linebacker, making one defensive tackle and 3 special teams tackles. He wasn't re-signed after the season.

DC Defenders

On January 1, 2023, Bernard was selected by the DC Defenders in the sixth round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft. [17] He was placed on the reserve list by the team on March 7, and activated on March 20, 2023,. [18] He appeared in eight games with eight starts at inside linebacker, registering 51 tackles (leading the team), 0.5 sacks and six tackles for loss. He contributed to the team having a 10–1 record and playing in the XFL Championship Game against the Arlington Renegades. He was placed on the team's suspended list on May 22, 2024. [19]

Personal life

In October 2017, Bernard was cited in alcohol-and traffic-related offenses. [20] Bernard is married with one son, [1] and is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having served a mission in Atlanta. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Lee</span> American football player (born 1986)

Sean Patrick Lee is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. He made two Pro Bowls and the 2016 All-Pro Team.

Donovan Woods is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Oklahoma State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Carter (American football)</span> American football player (born 1988)

Bruce Edward Carter is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaylon Smith</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jaylon Smith is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted 34th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marquis Flowers</span> American football player (born 1992)

Marquis Flowers is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona. He also played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, and Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marqueston Huff</span> American football player (born 1992)

Marqueston Devonte Huff, also known by his nickname "Quest", is a former American football safety. He played college football at Wyoming and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Houston Roughnecks.

William Lamont Smith is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyler Fackrell</span> American football player (born 1991)

Kyler Bruce Fackrell is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played high school football at Mesa High School in Mesa, Arizona, before attending Utah State and playing for their football team on a scholarship. At Utah State, he was a four-year starter at linebacker where he was named to multiple All-Conference teams. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Marquez White is a former American football cornerback. He played college football and basketball at Florida State University. He was a member of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL), the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), and the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treston Decoud</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Treston Decoud is an American football defensive back who is a free agent. He played college football at Oregon State. He has been a member of the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Renegades, Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Elks and New Jersey Generals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leighton Vander Esch</span> American football player (born 1996)

Leighton Vander Esch is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Boise State Broncos, and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, for whom he spent his entire six-year career.

Christian C. Sam is an American football linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Arizona State, in 2017 leading the Pac-12 with 127 tackles, while also leading the Pac-12 with 87 solo tackles. He has been a member of the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Bandits, New Orleans Breakers, and Arlington Renegades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Warner (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Federico Anthony Warner is an American football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Covington</span> American football player (born 1996)

Chris Covington is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts. He played college football at Indiana.

Bradlee Joseph Ioane Anae is an American football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Utah.

Sewo Olonilua is an American professional football running back for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at TCU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saivion Smith</span> American football player (born 1997)

Saivion Smith is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Alabama.

Jabril Cox is an American football linebacker. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Dakota State, where he won three FCS championships and was named the MVFC defensive player of the year before playing the 2020 season with LSU. Cox has also been a member of the Washington Commanders.

Andrew Dowell is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Michigan State.

Nephi Sewell is an American football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Nevada and Utah and was signed by the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

References

  1. 1 2 Ramsay, Brayden. "Pick-Six: The Francis Bernard Story". Daily Utah Chronicle. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Francis Bernard". NFL.com. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Francis Bernard, Herriman, All Purpose Back". 247Sports. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  4. ↑ Allen, Trevor (August 31, 2019). "Utes LB Francis Bernard Finds Redemption In Second Chance To Play Football". KSL Sports. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  5. ↑ "BYU LB Francis Bernard to redshirt due to personal reasons". Associated Press. August 17, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  6. ↑ Coon, John (August 13, 2018). "Former BYU LB Francis Bernard cleared to play for Utah". Associated Press. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  7. ↑ Kragthorpe, Kurt (August 26, 2019). "Utah linebacker Francis Bernard shaped by the health scares of his fiancee and their baby boy". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ Kragthorpe, Kurt (December 17, 2019). "Utah's Terrell Burgess and Francis Bernard have positioned themselves for NFL careers". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Francis Bernard Combine Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  10. ↑ Newman, Josh (April 25, 2020). "Cowboys quickly sign Utah linebacker Francis Bernard as free agent after NFL Draft ends". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  11. ↑ Helman, David (September 5, 2020). "Two LBs Among Notable Cowboys Roster Cuts". DallasCowboys.com.
  12. ↑ Phillips, Rob (September 6, 2020). "Brandon Carr Among 15 Practice Squad Additions". DallasCowboys.com.
  13. ↑ "Cowboys elevate rookie LB Francis Bernard from practice squad to active roster". DallasNews.com. October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Cowboys roster move: Anthony Brown returns, Francis Bernard promoted, Tyron Smith and Joe Looney to IR". Blogging the Boys. SB Nation. October 10, 2020.
  15. ↑ Phillips, Rob (September 2, 2021). "CeeDee's Return Among Several Roster Moves". DallasCowboys.com.
  16. ↑ "Cowboys roster moves: Blake Jarwin to injured reserve, Francis Bernard activated". Blogging the Boys. SB Nation. November 6, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Supplemental Draft Picks". www.xfl.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  18. ↑ "XFL Transactions". XFL.com. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  19. ↑ "UFL Player Transactions, May 22, 2024". UFLBoard.com. May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  20. ↑ "BYU: Players cited for alcohol offenses released weeks ago". Associated Press. October 23, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.