Bernard has Nine in Mind

St. Thomas Aquinas star running back Giovanni Bernard has that old school mentality that oozes from his head coach, George Smith. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Bernard does not display that prototypical South Florida boastfulness on the field, but you had better believe underneath that quiet demeanor of his, burns that swagger that is the common thread among South Florida’s standout football players.

Bernard has heard the knocks that often come from being a member on the nation’s best team. So many weapons on offense surround him. He runs behind one of the best lines in the country. He is too slow. He cannot catch the ball, too short to pick up a blitz. Bernard has heard it all and while he continues to produce on the field, he uses all of it to fuel his fire.

“It’s just a bunch of critics,” said Bernard. “They don’t know me personally. They don’t know how hard I work out. People are not there every day to see me work out. It’s just motivation really.”

Bernard talked about some of the parts of his game hear criticized the most.

“I really bring a lot to the table. I can catch out of the backfield. People say I can’t catch, I can’t block, but those are probably my two biggest things I know I can do. Blocking, I’m just a real physical guy. I love it when guys come on a blitz, because that’s the best feeling when you stop them in their tracks when linebackers think they are going to make a sack.

“Passing out of the backfield, man I love that. You only have to take on one man instead of a whole, entire team coming out of the line.”

As a junior, Bernard rushed for over 1,500 yards on 160 carries for 18 touchdowns. For as great of a season Bernard had a year ago, he wants to continue to improve his numbers, and if this spring is any indication, he very well might.

“I’m really just been trying to keep my motivation level up, just trying to get better, get stronger, get faster and everything,” said Bernard. “I’m trying to have a recap of last season and do a lot better than I did last year. Hopefully that works out.”

Where this talented back will head next fall is a question many want to know, but Bernard is in no rush to make a decision.

“I have it nailed down to my nine right now. I don’t know exactly when I’ll make my choice, maybe make my one school decision around signing day. I’m just really trying to enjoy this, really concentrate on the schools I’m wanting to go to and at the same time concentrate on football. Right now, the nine schools are Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, FSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Notre Dame, and Nebraska.”

While Bernard named the schools he is interested in, and it does not appear he will be taking an official visit inside the Sunshine State.

“I’m not too sure (on official visits), but I highly doubt I go to any Florida schools because I’ve seen them all. I know how the coaches are. It’s not like if I don’t take any officials to any Florida schools, it doesn’t mean I’m not going to them. I just don’t really want to waste a visit on them, because I’ve seen how the atmosphere is, the facilities, the players. Other than that, I really haven’t had anything planned out yet.”

Bernard and his Raider teammates open the season August 29th in Columbus, Ohio when they take on Upper Arlington.