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    New York Giants Draft Prospect Profile LB Terrel Bernard

    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.
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    Baylor Bears
    Baylor Bears

    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

    Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baylor Bears linebacker Terrel Bernard (2) gestures after a sack against the Mississippi Rebels in the fourth quarter of the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome.

    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

    Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Sugar Bowl MVP Baylor Bears linebacker Terrel Bernard (2) reacts while holding his trophy after defeating the Mississippi Rebels in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Baylor won 21-7.
    • 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

    Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baylor Bears linebacker Terrel Bernard (2) reacts after defeating the Mississippi Rebels in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Bernard was named MVP.
    • 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

    Mar 5, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard (LB06) goes through drills during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.

    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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