Exclusive interview with Baylor LB Terrel Bernard: NY Jets interest, Senior Bowl, more

The NY Jets had their eye on a number of top 2022 NFL Draft prospects at this year's Senior Bowl, and one of those players was Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard.

A first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2022, Bernard is regarded as one of the better linebacker prospects in this year's draft class, and he could be a target of the Jets on Day 2 or 3.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Terrel and discuss everything ranging from his football beginnings in Texas to the Senior Bowl to what NFL teams are showing interest to even his go-to karaoke song. Nothing was off-limits.

Special thanks to Terrel for taking the time out of his busy schedule to chat just a couple of weeks out from the 2022 NFL Draft. Below is a full transcription of our conversation.

Terrel Bernard on growing up with five siblings

Justin Fried: "Let's start from the beginning. So you grew up in LaPorte, Texas, and you had 5 siblings is that right?"

Terrel Bernard: "Yes sir."

JF: "Now, explain to someone who's an only child what it's like growing up with 5 siblings because that's a foreign concept to me."

TB: "Yeah it was cool. I was right in the middle so I had younger and older siblings so I was getting picked on by my older brother and taking care of my little siblings as well. It was cool being in the middle and being able to see both sides of that."

JF: "I think when you're in that situation, you don't want to be the youngest or the oldest. You want to be in the middle. It's a happy medium."

TB: "For sure."

When the NFL dream started

JF: "You played a few sports growing up if I'm correct, but you really started to focus on football at a certain point. At what point did you begin to realize or even just believe that the NFL could be a realistic path for you? Was this something you've dreamt of since you were a little kid, or was it something that became more of a dream as you got older?"

TB: "I always wanted to be a professional athlete. I grew up playing football, baseball, and basketball. I did a little bit of everything. Once I got into high school, I focused on football and baseball until I think my junior year. Then I just stuck with football the rest of the way. It was when I started getting offers that I started to realize that maybe I can do this and try to make it to the NFL one day. But it's always kind of an afterthought. You never really know if that's something you're going to be able to do. It's just cool to be in this position right now."

Committing to Houston and switching to Baylor

JF: "Absolutely, and you mentioned your offers. You had plenty of interest from schools coming out of high school — schools like Colorado, Missouri, Northwestern, you name it. You originally committed to Houston before switching to Baylor. Tell me a little about why you originally chose Houston and then what made you switch to Baylor."

TB: "I was committed when Coach [Tom] Herman was there at [Houston]. It's literally 20 minutes away from my hometown so being able to stay close to home was something that was pretty cool to me. When he left to go to Texas, I decommitted just to see what else was out there. Right around that time is when Coach [Matt] Rhule and his staff got to Baylor. I took an official visit up there, really liked it, and I figured I could go play in the Big 12, stay home in Texas, and play at one of the best academic universities in the country. It was an easy option for me."

The highs and lows at Baylor

JF: "For sure, and Coach Rhule of course went on to have plenty of success at Baylor, now he's in the NFL. You also had plenty of success at Baylor, but you definitely experienced your fair share of highs and lows. From 1-2 win seasons to competing in the Sugar Bowl twice, winning it in your senior season, as well as winning the Big 12 Championship. It was almost like a culmination of everything you had done at Baylor. What did those moments mean to you? What did it mean to be able to go out on a high like that?"

TB: "It was awesome. It felt like all the work just came together. We were able to go on a run there at the end and finally finish the thing off right, winning the Big 12 and then the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Like you said we had a few rough seasons at Baylor — rebuild seasons with new coaches. Tying it all together and being able to finish my last year on top was really special."

The importance of academics

JF: "Now I did want to congratulate you on getting your master's degree in sports management just a few months ago. I happen to have a bachelor's in sport management so you kind of one-upped me there. But it's not very often you see guys enter the NFL with a master's degree. What role have academics played in your life and do you see that as something that can help you with your career post-football?"

TB: "I appreciate it. Definitely. Going to college, obviously, I wanted to play football. But something even bigger than that was getting my degree, becoming better educated, and doing things outside of football because one day that's eventually going to end. So I wanted to make sure I spent my time wisely there. I was there for five years and I got my undergrad at the end of 2020. Fortunately, I was able to have enough time to get my master's right before I left in December. It was a great experience and I'm glad I was able to do that."

JF: "Yeah I did those 3.5-4 years and I was just like 'I've had enough of this, I'm good.' [laughs] But I respect how you were able to not only get your master's, but to do so while being an athlete in the Big 12. That's incredible."

TB: "I appreciate it."

Terrel Bernard's Senior Bowl experience

JF: "Not only were you invited to this year's Senior Bowl, but you made the trip with a few Baylor teammates as well. In fact, all of you guys were on the same team. What was the experience like down in Mobile, not only being there yourself, but being able to share that experience with your teammates?"

TB: "Yeah I think that was awesome. It was fun just being there, but like you said being there with teammates — guys I've worked with for 4-5 years — is definitely something you can't take away. I was there with J.T. Woods, Jalen Pitre, and Abram Smith, all guys that came in around the same time that I did. We've been through everything at Baylor together. I think it was just a good experience for all of us. Everybody did well there so I was really excited about that."

Working with the NY Jets' staff at the Senior Bowl

JF: "So at the Senior Bowl, you were on the National Team, which was coached by the Jets' coaching staff. Now I know you had a hamstring thing so you weren't able to practice, but what was the experience like being down there working with Coach [Ron] Middleton, Coach [Mike] Rutenberg, and that whole staff?"

TB: "It was awesome man. You can tell they really know what they're talking about. They were very professional, but also very fun. We're only there for a week so you kind of get a crash course on some of their installs and some of the things they do and what they believe in. It was awesome. Like you said, Coach [Rutenberg], I just talked to him last week. He was probably one of my favorite people that I ran into throughout this whole draft process. Being able to sit in a meeting room with him for a week, and keep that connection was great. He's a really genuine guy and I appreciate having the opportunity to work with him there. So we'll see what happens.

The NY Jets and other NFL teams that have shown interest

JF: "Are there any teams that have shown a little more interest than others that you could potentially see yourself with come draft day?"

TB: "Yeah definitely. I would say the Jets, Texans, Bills, and Buccaneers. I think those are probably the teams I've talked to the most so far."

JF: "Awesome, well hey I'm glad to hear it's the Jets. We'd love to have you in New York."

Favorite hobbies outside of football

JF: "Now, before we go, I wanted to end this with a couple of quick-hitter questions. Just some fun questions to keep it light. What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of football?"

TB: "I recently got into painting. It's something that I did during COVID, just trying to find something to do. Watching Bob Ross videos, things like that. That's one of the main things I like to do now in my free time.

JF: "Oh man, are you selling any art? Hosting any art exhibitions, or is that down the line?"

TB: [Laughs] "Nah that's down the line man, I got to get a little bit better."

JF: "I love it! You got a football player entering the NFL with a master's degree who watches Bob Ross videos and loves to paint. That's awesome." [laughs]

TB: [Laughs] "For sure, man."

Go-to karaoke song

JF: "Finally, what is your go-to karaoke song? Not necessarily your favorite song, but if I gave you a mic right now and said you have to sing — one that'd be weird, I don't know why I'd do that."

TB: [laughs]

JF: [laughs] "But two, what would that song be?"

TB: "Probably 'Miss Me' by Drake. That was my favorite song in junior high. I know pretty much every word to that one."

JF: "There you go. I feel like we're about the same age group because that was my junior high years as well. [laughs] Alright Terrel, I really appreciate you taking the time and I want to wish you the best of luck with the draft later this month, I know you have busy few weeks. Hopefully you end up with the Jets, but either way man, I really appreciate you taking the time."

TB: "Yes sir, I appreciate it. Thank you for having me on."