While Kadyn Proctor and Ty Simpson extended Alabama's first-round NFL Draft streak to a record-setting 18 years, Germie Bernard's selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers at 47th overall in the second round ended a 17-year Alabama draft streak, and one you probably didn't fully appreciate.
The further we get from the Nick Saban era, the more Saban's fingerprints begin to fade. The program will always bear his resemblance, and the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium his name, but this is Kalen DeBoer's program now. Bernard's selection further proves that.
As pointed out first by 247's Mike Rodak, Bernard became the first player drafted out of Alabama since 2007 who was never coached by Saban. The last time that happened was 2007 when CB Ramzee Robinson was selected 255th overall by the Detroit Lions.
With the 47th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, we select WR Germie Bernard. pic.twitter.com/ByuEyEhi8X
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 25, 2026
Germie Bernard ends a Nick Saban-era Alabama draft streak at 17 years
It was bound to happen soon enough. DeBoer, for whatever you think about his coaching acumen, has done an excellent job of stockpiling talent in Tuscaloosa. Bernard followed DeBoer from Washington to Alabama and instantly became a star wide receiver for the Crimson Tide.
While taking a backseat to star freshman Ryan Coleman-Williams for the first half of 2024, Bernard became Alabama's most consistent receiver down the stretch of his first season with the Crimson Tide. Last year, he was clearly Alabama's WR1, leading the team with 862 yards and seven touchdowns, while consistently coming up in the clutch when he was needed the most.
Bernard is a jack-of-all-trades type player who will fit in perfectly in a lunch-pail type city like Pittsburgh. He might not have elite speed, but he's an elite route-runner with elite hands. He'll fit in perfectly in the Steel City, likely invoking memories of all-time greats like Hines Ward.
Pound-for-pound, there aren't many better pure football players in this draft class than Bernard. It won't take him long to make an impact, and he'll be playing on Sundays for a long time. And he'll be remembered as the player who bridged the gap to a new era of Alabama in the NFL Draft.
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