Can a Uar Benard, who discovered American football on YouTube, really learn how to beat a double-team from an NFL offensive line? Is he a future star or just a workout warrior?
The biggest question coming out of the 2026 NFL draft after the Philadelphia Eagles selected the 21-year-old Nigerian in the 7th round.
With the 251st pick of the 2026 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select Uar Bernard from Nigeria.
The 306-pound defensive tackle ran a 4.63 40-yard dash at the HBCU combine and is the first African American International Pathway Program player to be drafted.
Uar Benard: HBCU Showcase numbers:
6’4½”, 306 lbs
6% body fat
39” vertical
10’10” broad jump (14” longer than any other DT)
4.63 forty
He is a historymaker after becoming the first African player to be drafted from the international pathway program.
Is Uar Benard a gamble for the Philadelphia Eagles?
When the Eagles traded down to get a 7th-round pick, it was with Uar Bernard in mind.
“We wanted to take the chance on the kid,” Howie Roseman said. “Obviously, we’ve had great success with that program. We spent a lot of time with him. (Clint Hurtt) went down there and spent the day with him, worked him out. Just for us, it was a passion project. Understand he has the tools in his body and it’s going to take time. It’s going to take a lot of time. But it’s pretty cool. We spent a lot of time talking about ‘unusual.’ Certainly unusual with that guy.”
The Eagles’ focus on the International Player Pathway Program after the combine paid off. They have a dedicated scout for the IPP. They saw the testing numbers, and then Clint Hurtt traveled to Florida to meet with him.
No better feeling than this moment 🥹 pic.twitter.com/ssfA7IoAlS
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 27, 2026
The Verdict
Physical traits are 10/10, but football is a game of leverage, hands, and instinct; all that will be tested as he progresses.
However, the Eagles can keep him on their practice squad in an extra spot and bring him to training camp without Bernard counting against the 90-man roster. He could qualify for the IPP exemption on the roster.
This is not the first time the Eagles have made this educated gamble after drafting Jordan Mailata, a player with zero knowledge of football who became a star in their hands.