Eagles Select Nigerian Defensive Lineman Uar Bernard in NFL Draft

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Nigerian defensive lineman Uar Bernard in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft with the 251st overall pick. Bernard had not played a down of organized football before entering the draft process. Bernard, who stands 6 feet 4 inches and weighs 306 pounds, recorded a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-10-inch broad jump.

Those measurements exceeded the next-best defensive end prospect in the broad jump by 14 inches. He also registered 6 percent body fat after reducing it from 11 percent over four months of training. Veteran NFL analyst Lance Zierlein described Bernard as one of the rarest physical specimens he had seen in the sport.

George Whitfield, a private coach who has worked with Andrew Luck and Cam Newton, compared Bernard's physical profile to that of NBA player Victor Wembanyama. Bernard grew up in Nigeria where American football was not available. A basketball coach suggested he try the sport after seeing him play, which led to his participation in American football camps in Africa and eventual entry into the NFL's International Player Pathway program.

The team also carries two other IPP alumni: offensive lineman Jordan Mailata from Australia and defensive lineman Joshua Weru from Kenya. Before the selection, Eagles executive Howie Roseman told Bernard, "I'm the GM. " At the team's recent rookie minicamp, a tryout player assisted Bernard with buckling his helmet chinstrap for his first practice in pads.

Bernard said before the draft, "I'm the first person from my tribe and my state to be part of the IPP program. " Jordan Mailata stated of Bernard, "He's gonna love it. Honestly, it's just the start of the journey, the start of the story. Since 2020, more than half of the NFL's 32 teams have signed players through the program.

Bernard was evaluated at a pre-draft workout event in Ashburn, Virginia, focused on players from historically Black colleges and universities. The NFL did not send scouts to his location in Nigeria to identify him directly. The Eagles have a history of selecting players with limited football experience.

Bernard's selection continues that approach. He is viewed by the team as a developmental prospect with elite physical attributes.