Maryland attackman Jared Bernhardt has opted to try to play college football this fall rather than play in the PLL in 2021.
Bernhardt, the current Tewaaraton Award favorite and highly-touted member of the incoming PLL draft class, has flirted with college football in the past. He was an option quarterback at Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Florida, and entered the football transfer portal in 2019 to move to the sport. He had plans to play Division II football at Ferris State in 2020, but the pandemic derailed the season and Bernhardt remained a lacrosse player at Maryland.
“There’s no doubt that Jared was ready to roll at Ferris State, so I don’t think anything’s changed on that front,” Maryland head coach John Tillman told Ty Xanders, who first reported the story, of Inside Lacrosse this week. “For him right now, the desire to scratch that football itch definitely outweighs the desire to play pro lacrosse at the moment.”
Bernhardt leads the Terps and all of Division I with 43 goals on the season so far and is second nationally in points at 62. He has been crucial to Maryland’s currently-undefeated season. He became Maryland’s all-time leading goal scorer this season and has been one of the dominant players in the nation.
The Terp star was presumed to be a top pick in Monday’s PLL College Draft but is now likely to fall with no guarantee of when or if he will ever enter the league. Questions about how long he will be eligible to play college football will make taking him that much more risky. There is a possibility that Jared Bernhardt will have two seasons of college football available to him, which would mean he wouldn’t touch a PLL field until at least 2023. Regardless, his pro lacrosse career is now put on hold until at least 2022.
If a team does draft Bernhardt, it will retain his rights for two years.
The PLL College Draft will be held Monday night at 10:30 p.m. EST on NBCSN and Peacock with Atlas LC holding the No. 1 pick.
Now for the other lacrosse news for the week of April 20-26, 2021:
Last Week in Lacrosse
–Syracuse’s Chase Scanlan was suspended indefinitely by the school, team sources told Inside Lacrosse. No official reason has been released publicly.
-The Big Ten has released the tournament bracket for its conference. Thanks to a coin flip, Hopkins will not play Maryland in round one.
-While the men’s side may not have a conference tournament, the ACC released its bracket for the women’s conference tournament. UNC snagged the No. 1 seed.
-Looking for another PLL mock draft before Tuesday’s event? IL has you covered.
–The NAIA Women’s Lacrosse Championship has released its bracket. The tournament, held in Savannah, Georgia, will hold its title game Saturday.
–Twenty-four teams are under consideration for the 2021 MCLA Invitational to determine a men’s champion in this weird year. Eight programs will be chosen by a 17-man selection committee to decide who will compete for the crown in Round Rock, Texas, from May 12-14.
-In a youth spotlight today, here’s a fun clip of a 9-year-old’s sick double-toe-drag-to-BTB goal that went viral on lax twitter.
Get Caught Up on LAS Content!
Miss out on what we did last week? Here’s a recap of some of our top content from the last seven days:
4 College Lacrosse Looks that Aren’t Living Up to Their Potentials
Nick Pietras takes a look at a few college lacrosse programs that could be rocking with some of the best looks in America if they fully took advantage of their color schemes and opportunities.
2021 PLL Mock College Draft
Ryder Cochrane breaks down what you can expect to see from Monday night’s PLL College Draft, though it’s possible Jared Bernhardt choosing football in 2021 could shake some things up.
Ranking the Men’s Pro Field Lacrosse No. 1 Picks Since 2009
Ryder Cochrane brings some hot takes with his ranking of the men’s pro field No. 1 picks since 2009. Who do you think is No. 1?
LeMonye Plays with Fire, Clark-Springfield Do Battle: DII/DIII Men’s Round Up
It was a massive week in DII and DIII men’s lacrosse. LeMonye got very close to the sun, Clark and Springfield renewed their rivalry, the MIAA has a seismic result and more. Ryan Kuhn takes you through some of the week’s biggest and best action.
WHAC, AAC & KCAC Playoff Scenarios – NAIA Men’s Conference Tournaments
Nick Pietras goes through the playoff scenarios for men’s NAIA lacrosse in the WHAC, AAC, and KCAC, breaking down how those conference tournaments could realistically play out.
