It doesn’t come as an excessive amount of of a shock to those that know Jared Bernhardt. The previous Lake Brantley soccer and lacrosse star is pushed, at all times top-of-the-line athletes on the sphere it doesn't matter what he’s doing and he’s now a member of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
For individuals who know Bernhardt, his newest accomplishment comes as no shock. Skip Clayton, Lake Brantley’s first-year head coach who was an assistant below his dad George Clayton when Bernhardt was at Brantley, has adopted Bernhardt’s profession.
“It’s thrilling, particularly for us. He was one of many best soccer gamers within the faculty’s historical past right here at Brantley, however then didn’t pursue soccer initially in school,” Skip Clayton stated. “We at all times knew he was top-of-the-line within the nation, if not the world, in lacrosse, so we at all times understood his choice … however we have been upset we weren’t going to get to see him play [football] anymore.”
Ultimately the coach would get that likelihood.
Bernhardt was a standout quarterback for Brantley in addition to an all-American lacrosse participant. The 2016 graduate made a tricky choice within the fall of 2015 to comply with within the footsteps of his older brothers, signing a Nationwide Letter of Intent to play lacrosse at Maryland.
Lacrosse can be his focus and he vowed to profit from it, and he did.
The selection was tough. It was both Maryland lacrosse or Navy soccer.
“I’ve been taking part in them each a very long time, soccer longer than lacrosse,” Bernhardt instructed the Sentinel again then. “I don’t actually have a favourite.”
Bernhardt’s bloodline tells the story of his ardour and success. His father, Jim, who died at 63 in 2019, performed lacrosse and soccer at Hofstra and was an adviser to then-Houston Texans coach Invoice O’Brien within the NFL.
His brothers, Jake, 26, and Jesse, 25, have been profitable two-sport athletes at Lake Brantley earlier than taking part in lacrosse at NCAA energy Maryland after which professionally.
At Maryland, given an additional yr of eligibility after COVID hit, he gained the 2021 Tewaaraton Award, the faculty lacrosse model of the Heisman Trophy.
However Bernhardt wasn’t accomplished and soccer nonetheless loomed. He used a graduate switch final season at Ferris State, the place he performed quarterback and led the Bulldogs to a 14-0 document and the NCAA Division II nationwide championship.
The NFL took discover and he signed a free-agent contract with the Falcons after April’s NFL Draft. He was so spectacular as a receiver in coaching camp that he made Atlanta’s 53-man roster.
“When he took that further yr at Ferris final yr, we have been all very excited,” Clayton stated. “And Jared did what Jared does. He simply wins. He’s a winner, a tremendous athlete. He makes particular issues occur. He’s simply somebody you need round you.
“So for him to get an opportunity with Atlanta, simply type of knew he was going to discover a method on to their roster. He’s simply that type of man. He’s not the quickest child, or the tallest, or the largest … he’s simply particular.”
One other notable participant to make the Falcons roster was former Florida Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks. The ex-UF star made the workforce as a decent finish, becoming a member of one other former Gator, Kyle Pitts.
There have been a number of different gamers not as lucky as Bernhardt, getting launched from the NFL.
In a little bit of a shocking transfer, the Texans lower quarterback Jeff Driskel, who performed at Hagerty after which Florida and Louisiana Tech. He’s has had NFL stints with the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions and was with the Texans final season earlier than being lower Tuesday.
He was anticipated to be the Texans backup quarterback to Davis Mills. Driskel shall be on Houston’s apply squad.
Additionally hoping for higher issues this yr out of camp was former Bishop Moore and Charlotte security Ben DeLuca, who was launched for the second straight yr by the Los Angeles Chargers. He spent final season on the Chargers apply squad earlier than being known as up for the ultimate three video games.
Additionally lacking out on ultimate roster spots for the second straight season was working again Jacques Patrick (Timber Creek), who was launched by the Bengals, and working again Dexter Williams (West Orange/Notre Dame) after the Packers lower him.
UCF gamers lacking the lower have been cornerback Tay Gowan (Philadelphia Eagles), tight finish Jordan Franks (Kansas Metropolis Chiefs), linebacker Rashard Causey (Broncos) and offensive lineman Jordan McCray (Chicago Bears). Receiver Tre Nixon (New England Patriots) was positioned on the apply squad, as was tight finish Jordan Akins (Texans).
Transactions involving Florida Gators included offensive lineman David Sharpe and linebacker Jeremiah Moon, who have been positioned on the Baltimore Ravens apply squad. Security Teez Tabor was positioned on the Falcons apply squad. Gamers who have been lower included offensive lineman Martez Ivey (Patriots), security Quincy Wilson (Miami Dolphins), receiver John Hammond (Patriots), working again La’Mical Perine (Jets), defensive finish Jabari Zuniga (Jets) and offensive sort out Chaz Inexperienced (Pittsburgh Steelers).
FSU cuts included linebacker Hamsah Nasirildeen (Jets) and cornerback Terrence Brooks (Texans),
UM cuts: Middle Danny Isidora (Cardinals), defensive sort out Gerald WIllis (Ravens), receiver Braxton Berrios (Jets), receiver Michael Harley (Browns), working again Malik Davis (Cowboys), cornerback Corn Elder (Commodores)
FAU cuts: Defensive sort out Brandin Bryant (Browns), tight finish Zaire Mitchell-Paden (Browns) and cornerback Herb Miller (Browns).
USF cuts: Working again Marlon Mack (Texans).
FIU cuts: Cornerback Isiah Brown (Raiders).
Central Florida gamers on 2022 NFL rosters
Gabriel Davis, WR, Buffalo Payments (Seminole/UCF)
Matt Milano, LB, Buffalo Payments (Dr. Phillips/Boston School)
Tommy Townsend, P, Kansas Metropolis (Boone/Florida)
Trey Hendrickson, DE, Cincinnati Bengals (Apopka/FAU)
Karl Joseph, S, on IR, Pittsburgh Steelers (Edgewater/West Virginia)
Keanu Neal, S, Tampa Bay Bucs (South Sumter/Florida)
Kerby Joseph, S, Detroit Lions (Jones/Illinois)
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Tennessee Titans (Lake Mary/Indiana)
Leonard Williams, DE, New York Giants (Mainland/USC)
Darrynton Evans, RB, Chicago Bears (New Smyrna Seaside/Appalachian State)
Jared Bernhardt, WR, Atlanta Falcons (Lake Brantley/Maryland/Ferris State)
Jamel Dean, CB, Tampa Bay Bucs (Cocoa/Auburn)
Marcus Maye, S, New Orleans Saints (Melbourne Holy Trinity/Florida)
Stone Forsythe, OT, Seattle Seahawks (West Orange/Florida)
Juwaan Taylor, OT, Jacksonville (Cocoa/Florida)
Jashaun Corbin, RB, New York Giants (Rockledge/FSU)
State school gamers on 2022 NFL rosters
FSU (20)
Ronald Darby, CB, Denver Broncos
Bobby Hart, OT, Buffalo Payments
Jermaine Johnson, DE, New York Jets
Lamarcus Joyner, S, New York Jets
Josh Kaindoh, DE, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Derrick Nnadi, DT, Kansas ity Chiefs
Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Los Angeles Chargers
Derwin James, S, Los Angeles Chargers
Dustin Hopkins, Okay, Los Angeles Chargers
Terrence Brooks, S, Houston Texans
Dalvin Prepare dinner, RB, Minnesota Vkings
Graham Gano, Okay, New York Giants
Josh Sweat, DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Marvin Wilson, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Rodney Hudson, C, Arizona Cardinals
Brian Burns DE, Carolina Panthers
Cameron Irving, OT, Carolina Panthers
P.J. Williams, S, New Orleans Saints
Jameis Winston, QB, New Orleans Saints
Azeez Al-Shaairm, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Florida (18)
Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Denver Broncos
Kaiir Elam, CB, Buffalo Payments
Trent Brown, OT, New England Patriots
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Demarcus Robinson, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Zachary Carter, DT, Cincinnati
Evan McPherson, Okay, Cincinnati Bengals
Taven Bryan, DT, Cleveland Browns
Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans
Johnathan Greenard, DE, Houston Texans
Jonathan Bullard, DE, Minnesota Vkings
Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Dallas Cowboys
Kadarius Toney, WR, New York Giants
John Bostic, LB, Washington Commodores
D.J. Humphries, OT, Arizona Cardinals
Marco Wilson, CB, Arizona Cardinals
CJ Henderson, CB, Carolina Panthers
Eddie Pineiro, Okay, Carolina Panthers
Miami (19)
Duke Johnson, RB, Buffalo Payments
Greg Rousseau, DE, Buffalo Payments
Jaquan Johnson, S, Buffalo Payments
Jalean Phillips, LB, Miami Dolphins
Deon Bush, S, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Denzel Perryman, LB, Las Vegas Raiders
Calais Campbell, DT, Baltimore Ravens
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns
Phillip Dorsett, WR, Houston Texans
Brevin Jordan, TE, Houston Texans
Okay.J. Osborn, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jon Feliciano, OG, New York Giants
Quincy Roche, LB, New York Giants
Artie Burns, CB, Seattle Seahawks
DeeJay Dallas, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Travis Homer, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Mike Jackson, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Rayshawn Jenkins, S, Jacksonville Jaguars
Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Jacksonville
UCF (9)
Shaquill Griffin, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brandon Johnson, WR, Denver Broncos, IR
Charley Hughlett, LS, Cleveland Browns
Justin McCray, OG, Houston Texans
Trysten Hill, DT, Dallas Cowboys
Aaron Robinson, CB, New York Giants
Matt Prater, Okay, Arizona Cardinals
Richie Grant, S, Atlanta Falcons
Tre’Quan Smith, WR, New Orleans Saints
FAU (6)
Devin Singletary, RB, Buffalo Payments
Desmond Noel, OG, Cincinnati Bengals, IR
Harrison Bryant, TE, Cleveland Browns
James Pierre, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Greg Joseph, Okay, Minnesota Vkings
Zyon Gilbert, CB, New York Giants
USF (4)
Mike Love, DE, Buffalo Payments
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Mitchell Wilcox, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
D’Ernest Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns
Others
Jonnu Smith, TE, New England Patriots (FIU); Donald Parham Jr., TE, Los Angeles Chargers (Stetson); D’Anthony Bell, S, Cleveland Browns (West Florida); Markquese Bell, S, Dallas Cowboys (Florida A&M); Stantley Oliver-Thomas III, LB, Carolina Panthers (FIU).
Not all rosters and apply squads have been made official. E mail Chris Hays at chays@orlandosentinel.com with any discrepancies. Chris Hays cowl Highschool, school soccer recruiting and the NFL
()