Don’t be shocked if the Lions show interest in Nigerian defensive lineman who might be the most athletic prospect ever
The Lions have been one of the NFL’s leading candidates for picking up players from all kinds of places. They’re likely going to love this athletic freak from Nigeria
If there’s one thing that the Detroit Lions have demonstrated over the years, it’s that they’re open to getting players from all kinds of places.
They drafted Tongan Canadian offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, they drafted Egyptian edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein, they sign more UFL players than probably anyone, and they’ve tried out players from Australia, Italy, and England in the past.
The Lions don’t mind grabbing these guys late in the draft or as undrafted free agents. Especially when these international players give you an extra roster spot. Don’t be shocked if they fall in love with this guy.
Nigerian defensive tackle Uar Bernard might be the best athlete the NFL Draft has ever seen, and the Lions will likely take a look
The International Pathways Players worked out at the NFL HBCU Showcase last weekend, and Bernard, a kid from a small village in Nigeria, wowed everyone. When I say he wowed everyone, I mean wowed.
“Hands down, he is the most explosive athlete I’ve ever seen in my life.” That’s what Jordan Luallen, who’s been training Bernard and the rest of the IPP players, told the Athletic. When you see his numbers, you understand why.
The 6-foot-4, 306-pound Bernard has six percent body fat for starters. NBA players don’t even have that. The guy is pure muscle. He had a 39-inch vertical leap. Receivers and cornerbacks are hitting that number. He had a 10′ 10″ broad jump. That’s 14 inches more than any defensive lineman at the combine. His athletic composite score is 100.
That’s just insane stuff right there. Now, obviously, the athleticism is off the charts and incredibly impressive. But he is raw when it comes to football. Any team that drafts him or signs him as an undrafted free agent has to know that this is a project. But with athleticism like that, it’s worth it if you’re able to carve out a good football player.
I know Lions fans get weary about projects since Giovanni Manu has not planned out, but when you have a 91st roster spot available during camp and a 17th spot on the practice squad during the season with an international player, it’s as low-risk as you can possibly get.
Some believe Bernard and Kenyan edge rusher Josh Weru will be taken on day three of the 2026 NFL Draft. That is still a bit of a long shot. Only two IPP players have actually been drafted, and both were in the seventh round. If the Lions took Bernard with that 222nd pick, that’s not a bad pick at all. But he’s more likely to be a priority undrafted free agent after the draft.
We’ll see where things go from here, but don’t be shocked if the Lions have him out for a top-30 to get a closer look at him.
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