Sports • Rugby

Uar Bernard

Uar Bernard is a Nigerian professional American football defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Uar Bernard is a Nigerian professional American football defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft through the league’s International Player Pathway program. Bernard had never played organized football before entering the program and is described as an unusually athletic prospect from Nigeria.

Early life

Bernard grew up in Nigeria and was not exposed to organized American football there. Reports say he played other sports, including soccer and basketball, before entering football development pathways.

Path to the NFL

He was identified through NFL development efforts in Africa and advanced through the International Player Pathway program. The Eagles drafted him in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Athletic profile

Scouts and media coverage highlighted his size, speed, and explosiveness for a defensive lineman. Reported testing included a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-10 broad jump.

Significance

Bernard drew attention as a rare international prospect with no college football background. His selection was also noted in relation to other International Player Pathway success stories such as Jordan Mailata.

Key facts

Bernard was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 251st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He is a defensive tackle and part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
He had never played organized football before being drafted.
He is from Nigeria, with Abuja as his hometown.
He is known for exceptional athletic testing numbers.

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Canadian context

He may interest Canadian readers because the NFL’s International Player Pathway program has included global athletes such as Jordan Mailata, and his story reflects the league’s broader international talent pipeline.

Frequently asked questions

Who is UAR Bernard?

Uar Bernard is a Nigerian defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles who entered the NFL through the International Player Pathway program.

What sport does UAR Bernard play?

He plays American football.

How old is UAR Bernard?

Available sources describe him as 21–22 years old, but do not provide a confirmed exact birth date.

What is UAR Bernard known for?

He is known for being a highly athletic NFL prospect from Nigeria who was drafted despite never having played organized football before.

Is UAR Bernard a real person?

Yes. He is identified in multiple contemporary news and team sources as a real player on the Philadelphia Eagles roster.

References

Philadelphia Eagles — https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/draftcentral/2026/picks/uar-bernard
Supports: Drafted by the Eagles, position, Nigerian background, IPP program, never played organized football, athletic testing, hometown.
NJ.com — https://www.nj.com/eagles/2026/04/who-is-uar-bernard-meet-the-eagles-seventh-round-pick-from-nigeria-who-has-never-played-football.html
Supports: Draft context, Nigerian origin, never played football, athletic measurements and testing.
The Athletic — https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7247061/2026/05/02/uar-bernard-eagles-nigeria-nfl-draft-2026-pick/
Supports: Age estimate, Nigeria background, draft selection, athletic profile, first football practice context.
ESPN — https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/49127060/philadelphia-eagles-uar-bernard-says-nigeria-nfl-talent-abundance
Supports: Nigeria background, IPP pathway, development camps, athletic testing, draft selection.
The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/07/uar-bernard-nfl-philadelphia-eagles
Supports: No prior football experience, size and scouting significance, Nigerian upbringing, draft status.