COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland lacrosse head coach John Tillman has announced senior Jared Bernhardt will pursue a graduate transfer season in college football after completing his collegiate lacrosse career and undergraduate degree at Maryland in the spring of 2020.
After exhausting his final year of collegiate lacrosse eligibility this spring, Bernhardt will be eligible to play one season of college football in the fall of 2020.
Due to NCAA rules, Bernhardt will appear in the NCAA transfer portal as a men’s lacrosse student-athlete.
“After numerous conversations with Jared over the years, I knew that playing college football was always a dream of his,” said Tillman. “We are supporting him during this process to help him make the best decision for his future after finishing his collegiate lacrosse career. I know Jared is incredibly excited for his senior season of lacrosse at Maryland, and he will be a great leader for us again this spring.”
Bernhardt starred in football as a triple-option quarterback for Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Fla., accumulating more than 4,000 all-purpose yards and accounting for more than 30 touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons He was named All-Central Florida as a senior by the Orlando Sentinel while leading Lake Brantley to an undefeated regular season.
“Growing up I’ve always had a passion for the game of football, and I was incredibly blessed to have my father in my life to nurture that love of the game,” said Bernhardt. “I want to honor his legacy and live out my dream of playing college football by pursuing opportunities to join a collegiate program following my senior season of lacrosse at Maryland. I’m incredibly thankful to Coach Tillman and the coaching staff, my teammates and staff at Maryland for their support during this process. I’m hoping to get the necessary information to make an informed, but timely decision on my future playing prospects. I’m 100% focused on my senior year of lacrosse at Maryland, and can’t wait to get back to work with my teammates for the upcoming season.”
Bernhardt returns for his senior year at Maryland after one of the finest offensive seasons in Terrapin history where he was named a Tewaaraton Finalist, USILA All-American, Inside Lacrosse Media All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection in 2019. Bernhardt established himself as one of the nation's most productive players, leading the Terps in goals (51) while ranking second in points (78).
The Longwood, Fla. native's 51 goals were the second most in a single season by a Terrapin, becoming just the third Maryland player all-time with at least 50 in a season. His 78 points last year ranks sixth on the single season all-time list while his 162 career points ranks 20th all-time in school history.
After exhausting his final year of collegiate lacrosse eligibility this spring, Bernhardt will be eligible to play one season of college football in the fall of 2020.
Due to NCAA rules, Bernhardt will appear in the NCAA transfer portal as a men’s lacrosse student-athlete.
“After numerous conversations with Jared over the years, I knew that playing college football was always a dream of his,” said Tillman. “We are supporting him during this process to help him make the best decision for his future after finishing his collegiate lacrosse career. I know Jared is incredibly excited for his senior season of lacrosse at Maryland, and he will be a great leader for us again this spring.”
Bernhardt starred in football as a triple-option quarterback for Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Fla., accumulating more than 4,000 all-purpose yards and accounting for more than 30 touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons He was named All-Central Florida as a senior by the Orlando Sentinel while leading Lake Brantley to an undefeated regular season.
“Growing up I’ve always had a passion for the game of football, and I was incredibly blessed to have my father in my life to nurture that love of the game,” said Bernhardt. “I want to honor his legacy and live out my dream of playing college football by pursuing opportunities to join a collegiate program following my senior season of lacrosse at Maryland. I’m incredibly thankful to Coach Tillman and the coaching staff, my teammates and staff at Maryland for their support during this process. I’m hoping to get the necessary information to make an informed, but timely decision on my future playing prospects. I’m 100% focused on my senior year of lacrosse at Maryland, and can’t wait to get back to work with my teammates for the upcoming season.”
Bernhardt returns for his senior year at Maryland after one of the finest offensive seasons in Terrapin history where he was named a Tewaaraton Finalist, USILA All-American, Inside Lacrosse Media All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection in 2019. Bernhardt established himself as one of the nation's most productive players, leading the Terps in goals (51) while ranking second in points (78).
The Longwood, Fla. native's 51 goals were the second most in a single season by a Terrapin, becoming just the third Maryland player all-time with at least 50 in a season. His 78 points last year ranks sixth on the single season all-time list while his 162 career points ranks 20th all-time in school history.
