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Uar Bernard: Nigerian hoping for NFL Draft success after IPP stint

Bbc.com and 1 more

Uar Bernard, a 21-year-old Nigerian, travels to Pittsburgh with a small IPP group for this year’s NFL Draft, signaling a pivotal step toward professional opportunity.
Bernard stands 6'4.5" tall and, at 138 kg, combines size with a 4.63-second 40-yard dash from IPP testing, underscoring his elite athletic profile.
"There are very few people globally with his combination of size, speed and natural explosiveness," NFL Africa's Osi Umenyiora says, highlighting Bernard's standout physical potential.
Bernard began football in 2023 after a Lagos coach identified his athleticism, a shift that propelled him toward American football-specific opportunities.
NFL Africa acknowledges access and infrastructure gaps as key barriers, with ongoing expansion to create clearer development routes for African athletes like Bernard.
Bernard aims to become a top defensive lineman by 25, signaling a long-term trajectory built on improvement and technical refinement.
If drafted, Bernard could join 22 IPP alumni already on NFL rosters, illustrating the pathway from the IPP to NFL rosters.
Bernard’s family motivation remains central; his father died when he was 16, and he maintains daily contact with his mother.
Training at the X3 Performance and Physical Therapy Centre in Fort Myers, Florida, was a key part of Bernard’s 10-week IPP preparation.
The IPP program, run by NFL Africa, identifies African talent and develops it to join IPP schemes, creating a clearer development path toward NFL opportunities.

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