Jared Bernhardt’s name will appear in the NCAA transfer portal, but Maryland's star attackman will be in College Park for his senior season.
Bernhardt had NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision interest coming out of Lake Brantley (Fla.) High School and Maryland’s athletic department put out a release stating that he will pursue a graduate transfer season in football in 2020 after completing his college lacrosse career with the Terps. By doing so, he will be listed in the transfer portal as a men’s lacrosse student-athlete due to NCAA rules.
Bernhardt, a member of the 2016 U.S. U19 team and the younger brother of Team USA and pro stars Jake and Jesse Bernhardt, is following in the footsteps of 2019 Tewaaraton winner and Loyola star Pat Spencer who is using a graduate season to play basketball at Northwestern.
"After numerous conversations with Jared over the years, I knew that playing college football was always a dream of his," said Maryland head coach John Tillman in the school’s release. "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."
"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," Bernhardt said in the release. "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."