Todd McShay reveals why he's so high on Germie Bernard as 2026 NFL Draft prospect

Alabama has some big names at wide receiver both now at the college level and in the upcoming years in the NFL Draft. That starts this year for ‘Bama with WR Germie Bernard already being projected among the better names at the position in his class.

Todd McShay named Bernard as one of his top-seven receivers for the 2026 NFL Draft on the latest episode this week of ‘The McShay Show’. That’s with Bernard having developed year over year through three collegiate seasons at three programs, including his best one yet last season with the Crimson Tide.

“I’m high on Germie Bernard,” said McShay. “6’1, 210, runs a 4.5 estimated. Spent his first two seasons at Washington, obviously the coaching change, Kalen DeBoer comes over and he goes with him. Had just four catches as a freshman at Washington. Made a big jump in 2023 at UW, though. He had 34 catches, 419, 12.3 (yards per catch). And, you’ve got to remember, that’s a guy who, their three wide receivers were Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Rome Odunze so, like, yeah, we can excuse the production…Not a lot of production early in their career, obviously. So, that’s his backdrop.

“Then he gets to Alabama last year – 50 catches, led the Tide with 50 catches. The offense, obviously, quarterback, passing game was not up to the level. Averaged 16 yards per catch.”

Over three stops at Michigan State, Washington, and Alabama, Bernard has posted 91 catches for 1,341 yards, at an average of 34.4 per game and 14.7 per catch, and six touchdowns. Of those stats, 50 receptions for 794 yards, averaging 61.1 per game and 15.9 per catch, and two scores came last fall in Tuscaloosa as Alabama’s leader in catches while just a bit behind in yardage to only WR Ryan Williams.

That tape and numbers from last year are starting to gain interest for Bernard as a player in the NFL. A lot of that to McShay was the reliability he showed in playing in a way that was a help to his quarterback by finding openings and almost always coming down with the football.

“I don’t think he’s a burner but he’s a tough receiver who I think has a knack for uncovering. Scouts I’ve talked to are really high on his – I don’t even want to say upside, but just think he’s going to be a guy in the NFL and I don’t disagree,” McShay said. “I think he’s better, I think he’s good versus single coverage but I thought he was really good in zones, finding softs, you know what I mean. Just like that…and like, where to sit, how to help his quarterback, right.

“Really reliable hands, man. Plucks it naturally. Tough catches over his head. Strong, reliable in traffic. Takes hits, holds on. Just two drops all of last season. And, I was interested too, like, he’s shifty and really heats it up after the catch.”

That said, McShay and Steve Muench both liked Bernard despite what they felt were issues in the pass game last season with QB Jalen Milroe. They’re both now want to see how he progresses over this next season with some changes within the offense for Alabama, namely with a new starter at quarterback.

“Yeah, it’ll be interesting to see the offense too with Ty Simpson, right, coming in,” said McShay.

Williams, rightfully so, gets a ton of attention at wideout for Alabama. Still, Bernard looks to have a future at the next level as well with a chance to solidify himself as a high-round pick in the draft next spring after his upcoming senior season in T-Town.