Alabama football receiver Germie Bernard selected in 2026 NFL Draft

The first Alabama football wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft is off the board. Germie Bernard was drafted 47th overall in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers at the NFL draft on Friday.

"He's a very versatile player," former Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said of Bernard on ABC's coverage of the draft. "They use him in many ways. Very smooth. Very versatile, great route-runner. He's an old-fashioned football player playing wide receiver."

Bernard was a two-year starter at Alabama after following coach Kalen DeBoer to Tuscaloosa from Washington. He saved his best season for last, setting career highs in receptions (64), receiving yards (862) and touchdowns (13) while playing in 14 games for the Crimson Tide in 2025.

Bernard has a season-high 146 receiving yards in Alabama's season-opening loss at Florida State on Aug. 30. His most clutch performance came late in the fourth quarter in the Tide's come-from-behind win at South Carolina on Oct. 25 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

Bernard caught five passes for 54 yards, including the game-tying and game-winning scores, in Alabama's 29-22 win over the Gamecocks. His four-yard touchdown catch with 2:16 remaining cut the South Carolina lead to 24-22 before a success two-point attempt.

On Alabama's next drive, Bernard raced 25 yards for the game-winning score with just 34 seconds remaining. It was the longest rush of his collegiate career.

Across four years between Washington and Alabama, Bernard caught 155 passes for 2,203 and 13 touchdowns. He had 36 rushes for 184 yards (5.1 AVG) and five touchdowns.

Bernard was selected one spot behind Missouri linebacker , who was taken by Tampa Bay with the 46th overall pick.