Francis Bernard (American football)

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

Francis Bernard
refer to caption
Bernard with the DC Defenders in 2023
No. 43 – DC Defenders
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1995-04-08) April 8, 1995
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:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:10
Sacks:0.0
Forced fumbles:0
Fumble recoveries:0
Interceptions:0
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

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 span40-yard dashVertical jumpBroad jumpBench 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 8 games with 8 starts at inside linebacker, registering 51 tackles (led the team), 0.5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss. He contributed to the team having a 10–1 record and playing in the XFL Championship Game against the Arlington Renegades.

Personal life

In October 2017, Bernard was cited in alcohol-and traffic-related offenses.[19] 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]

References
  1. Ramsay, Brayden. "Pick-Six: The Francis Bernard Story". Daily Utah Chronicle. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  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 2023-01-02.
  18. "XFL Transactions". XFL.com. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  19. "BYU: Players cited for alcohol offenses released weeks ago". Associated Press. October 23, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
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