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D1 Lacrosse Player Of The Year Turned National Champion Quarterback Set To Ball Out With The Falcons

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Jake Bernhardt Maryland Lacrosse Ferris State Quarterback College Football

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  • Jake Bernhardt won the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy Award in the spring of 2021.
  • The sixth-year senior transferred to the gridiron for his final year of eligibility and is the newest member of the Atlanta Falcons.
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College lacrosse fans undoubtedly recognize the name Jared Bernhardt, but it’s time that the NFL football faithful are familiar with the Division-II quarterback. Bernhardt, a sixth-year senior, has played only one year of football since high school.

Now he’s one of the newest members of the Atlanta Falcons after signing as an undrafted free agent.

Six years ago, in 2016, Bernhardt was an explosive triple-option quarterback for Lake Brantley High School in Florida. As a junior and senior, he recorded more than 4,000 all-purpose yards and accounted for more than 30 touchdowns.

However, lacrosse was his future— at least initially. Bernhardt committed to the University of Maryland as an attackman and had quite the career. He was impossible to cover.

Look at this impressive list of accomplishments:

Jared Berhardt Maryland Lacrosse

Maryland Athletics

After being named the top player in Division-I lacrosse (the Tewaaraton Award is like the Heisman Trophy, but lacrosse) in the spring of 2021, Bernhardt had pretty much accomplished everything that he could accomplish in the sport. But, because of COVID-19, he had an additional year of collegiate eligibility and chose to head back to the gridiron.

Jake Bernhardt transferred to Division-II football program, Ferris State University during the summer of 2021.

He immediately earned the starting quarterback job and during the Bulldogs’ first game of the season, he popped off. His Week 1 stat line is wild:

  • PASSING: 12-of-14 for 218 yards and three touchdowns
  • RUSHING: 12 carries for 120 yards and four touchdowns

During Ferris’ 54-14 blowout, Bernhardt was the team’s leading passer and rusher by a significant margin. The second-highest rushing total came with four carries for 42 yards.

And Bernhardt did it in style, just like he does on the lacrosse field.

Here are the full highlights from Bernhardt’s college football debut:

Not a bad start to his career. And it only got better.

During his first — and only — season with Ferris State, Jake Bernhardt led the Bulldogs to a national title.

Over the course of nine games, Bernhardt threw for 1,322 yards and 11 touchdowns. What he did with his legs was even more impressive, running for 1,273 yards and 23 touchdowns.

During the entire 14 game season, Ferris State did not lose and beat opponents by such a large margin that Bernhardt often didn’t play the entire game. The Bulldogs went a perfect 14-0 and capped things off with a 58-17 trouncing of Valdosta State in the national championship game.

Bernhardt had three rushing touchdowns during the title game before sitting for most of the second half after the score was in hand. It was the perfect way to cap an incredible year.

Now, after finishing out his eligibility, Bernhardt is headed to the NFL and there are a lot of people in his corner.

It’s not hard to see why. He’s remarkable.

Ahead of the draft, Bernhardt told teams that he was willing to do anything and participated in various drills at Maryland’s Pro Day. He just wanted a chance.

In the end, although he didn’t hear his name called in the draft, Bernhardt got his opportunity with Atlanta. Keep your eyes on the Big Peach because Bernhardt should never be counted out.