Drafting a raw defensive end requires a leap of faith from an NFL front office. Uar Bernard forces scouts to evaluate potential over collegiate tape. The Nigerian standout enters the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the most intriguing prospects of the International Player Pathway (IPP) program.
Scouts arrived at the recent IPP showcase in Florida searching for exceptional athletic traits. Bernard gave them plenty to write down. He brings a blend of size and functional strength that has earned him praise as a standout athlete in the 2026 draft class.
Uar Bernard Has NFL Scouts Mesmerized
Bernard did not grow up running defensive line drills or attending summer camps. He grew up in Abuja and did not play organized sports until discovering basketball at age 16. That late start makes his current trajectory toward professional football notable.
He spent his teenage years on the hardwood, representing both school and club basketball teams. A coach spotted his physical presence during a basketball game in 2023 and urged him to try a football training camp. That single suggestion changed the trajectory of his athletic career.
306 pounds and 6% body fat. https://t.co/0CxFshSNsV pic.twitter.com/GFaHbvoZKc
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) April 3, 2026
Former New York Giants star Osi Umenyiora identified his potential during those early stages. Umenyiora invited the young athlete to the 2024 NFL Nigeria camp. Bernard then advanced to the NFL Africa camp in Cairo in 2025, where he secured his place in the IPP program.
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The physical metrics are notable. Bernard gained attention in Abuja by winning a competitive weightlifting contest in 2024. He recorded a 666-pound deadlift to secure the victory, showcasing the raw power that has caught the attention of NFL evaluators.
NFL teams crave that kind of lower body power in the trenches. You need point-of-attack strength to anchor against double teams and collapse the pocket. Bernard possesses the natural leverage that defensive line coaches look for in high-upside prospects.
The International Player Pathway exists specifically to find athletes with these exact profiles. The NFL refined his technique at a specialized facility in Fort Myers, Florida, during the 10-week IPP training program. Coaches worked to translate his basketball footwork into pass-rushing moves.
He joins a wave of African talent entering the league. Five different Nigerian athletes—including Collins Arogunjo, Michael Daramola, Chibuike Madu, and Anjola Oketola, earned spots in the 2026 IPP class. The global pipeline is delivering a new wave of international prospects.
Bernard understands the cultural weight resting on his shoulders. He is the first person from his specific tribe and state to reach this level of the pathway program. He wants to prove that international talent is ready to compete at the highest level.
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“The biggest adjustment for me has been being coachable,” Bernard told reporters during the pathway program. “You have to be willing to learn everything. That’s what helps you grow at this level.”
The NFL’s practice squad rules provide a path for international development. Teams can utilize a 17th roster spot specifically for an international player. This allows a team to develop Bernard and let its defensive line coach mold him over the next three seasons through an international player practice squad exemption.
