Matt Bernstein

Despite performing the thankless task of lead blocker, Bernstein's importance to the Badgers was unquestioned. He was sorely missed the second half of the 2005 season due to a sports hernia. He is not only one of the premier blockers in the country, but also showed flashes of brilliance as a runner when he had to assume that role because injuries depleted the tailback position in 2004. Bernstein produced 53 blocks that resulted in touchdowns for a ground game that totaled 71 rushing scores during his first three years at Wisconsin. He also proved to be a very capable pass protector, averaging over ten knockdown blocks per game and making eleven touchdown-resulting blocks for the team's air attack since putting on a Wisconsin uniform. Bernstein was a two-time Class C Player of the Year selection at Edgemont High, where he excelled as a tailback and linebacker. He rushed for 1,885 yards and 25 scores as a junior. Bernstein added 37 touchdowns and 2,002 yards on the ground and made 108 tackles with seven forced fumbles as a senior, earning the prep version of the Heisman Trophy for that performance. He finished his career ranked third all-time among New York high schoolers in scoring with 504 points. He was also a Con Edison Scholar-Athlete. Bernstein redshirted at Wisconsin in 2001. He started nine games in 2002 at fullback and also performed on the kickoff coverage unit. For the season, Bernstein totaled 66 yards on 20 carries (3.3 avg) with three touchdowns. Nine of those runs resulted in first downs. He also had five catches for 34 yards (6.8 avg) and gained 20 yards on two kickoff returns. He also earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors. His 22 touchdown-resulting blocks were the most by any college fullback in 2002. Bernstein appeared in every game in 2003, earning seven starts (the team opened with a two-tight end formation in five other games and in one game started with three receivers). He was limited to only 29 carries, but gained 120 yards (4.1 avg) as 26 of his runs resulted in first downs, including 12 that converted third-down plays. Bernstein caught eight passes for 79 yards (9.9 avg) and returned five kickoffs for 60 yards. He also recorded four tackles and recovered a fumble. The only time he lost the ball was on an onside kickoff vs. Akron. Bernstein also produced fifteen touchdown-resulting blocks as a lead blocker. In his third season as a starter, Bernstein's blocking ability proved to be a blessing, as the Badgers struggled with their offensive line. He also proved to be more than a capable fill-in when injuries depleted the running unit, moving over to tailback in several games and showing flashes of brilliance as a runner. He finished with a career-high 300 yards on 83 carries (3.6 avg) with a touchdown. He caught nine passes for 68 yards (7.6 avg), returned two onside kickoffs for 5 yards and recovered a fumble. He ran for first downs on 26 occasions, including a very impressive 10-for-12 on third-down plays. He also was credited with 16 touchdown-resulting blocks as the lead blocker for the ground game and added five other touchdown-resulting blocks in passing situations. Bernstein appeared in five games in 2005, but was in severe pain since before the North Carolina game. An MRI revealed that he had a sports hernia -- a tear of muscles in his abdominal wall -- and a hip strain. He received several injections, but was finally forced to the sidelines to allow the injury to heal, missing the team's final eight games. He managed only 22 yards on six carries and a 5-yard kickoff return. In 44 games with the Badgers, Bernstein rushed 138 times for 508 yards (3.7 avg) and four touchdowns. He lost only 15 yards on those carries and registered 56 touchdown-resulting blocks leading the way for Wisconsin runners. Bernstein also converted 24 third-down runs into first downs. He had another eleven touchdown-resulting blocks in pass protection and recovered two fumbles on errant offensive plays. Bernstein had 22 receptions for 181 yards (8.2 avg) and dropped only two catchable balls during his career.

while bernstein is not used much as a receiver, he runs solid routes, shows very good receiving hands and some running skills after the catch. he has enough quickness out of his break point and on the cut. he runs good routes for a big back and his best attribute as a receiver is his run-after-the-catch ability. he has soft hands to catch the ball away from the body. he just lacks the speed to be relied upon as an upfield receiving threat, but compensates with adequate ability on the short and underneath throws.

Given the chance to finally carry the ball some in 2004 in the Penn State, Minnesota and Michigan State games, he displayed the ability to move the pile for extra yardage, getting the bulk of his yards after initial contact. He is mainly a one-cut type, but has the balance and lateral agility to cut back in the open. There is not much shake in his running style, but he has more than enough power to run over defenders when he can't avoid them. He does show a good burst to pick his way through the line of scrimmage and has never put the ball on the ground as a runner.

negatives

Mainly a one-cut runner and not the type that will make defenders miss, but has the strength and leg drive to power his way through tackles...Will usually run at a low pad level, but when he gets too high in his stance, he narrows his base, causing him to get knocked around some...Not a natural pass catcher. Will sometimes double catch the ball, but shows good body control and has large hands to secure the ball as a receiver...Has good training habits, but must work on maintaining his weight to prevent a loss of quickness (best when playing at the 255-265 pound level)...Sports hernia injury will need a full medical evaluation in order to ensure that he will be capable of playing in 2006, or teams will quickly shy away from him on draft day.

bernstein is a very intelligent athlete, garnering academic all-big ten honors. he has excellent size and athletic ability for his position. bernstein possesses good body thickness and while his frame may have reached maximum growth level, he does show improving strength. he has a thick, defined chest and big arms with a good bubble and surprisingly low body fat for a player of his frame.

Bernstein will not win many foot races, but does show good quickness and feet. He has outstanding agility and balance through the holes and the change of direction flexibility to cut back and bounce outside when the inside rushing lanes are clogged. He plays and practices hard, easily retaining plays, and is a low-rep type. He shows true aggression as a blocker and relishes his role as a lead blocker. He shows very good field vision and footwork at the hole. Coming out of his stance, Bernstein generates a good burst and bounce, but lacks top-end speed to elude in the second level.

his intangibles are that he possesses great physical measurables, but there will be lingering concerns by pro teams due to his 2005 injury as he was slow to recover and return to the field the second half of the season. if he returns to full health, he has the best combination of blocking, receiving and running skills of any fullback in the 2006 draft class. the thing that stands out about this guy is his blocking, and he will make a living at the next level doing it. there are very few that show the strength to break arm and grab tackles or deliver punishing open-field blocks like bernstein does.

His good change of direction agility allows him to turn the corner and get upfield to deliver crunching cut blocks for the outside running game. He keeps his feet powering his way up the middle of the field and his frame and strength allow him to create huge holes for the running attack between the tackles. If his medical evaluation shows that he will have a clean bill of health for the 2006 season, he should be the first fullback taken in the draft, possibly very early during the second day.

positives

Has a rare-sized, thick frame with good upper and lower body development... More quick than fast, but shows urgency coming out of his stance and a quick burst to the line of scrimmage as a lead blocker...Plays with good initial movement and has the balance and lateral agility to get out on the edge to block vs. blitzes and games in pass protection...Runs at a good pad level, showing enough pick agility and burst running between the tackles...Has the power to break arm tackles and move the pile...Shows very good ball security and has never fumbled as a runner...Has decent quickness in and out of his break point as an underneath receiver...Runs good routes for a big back and has good run-after-catch ability...Best at reading coverages, finding seams and settling in the soft spot of the zone...Very strong at the point of attack, and by running at a low pad level, makes it difficult for bigger defenders to push him back through the rush lanes when lead blocking...Can execute the lead block with tremendous force and will generally sustain.

he's a devastating run blocker, especially when cutting, where he shows excellent knee bend and explosion to wipe out his man and clear the rush lane. he does a nice job fitting up in the hole, delivering more than enough strength to face up and drive defenders off the line. you never see him ducking his head, missing his target or being on the ground when coming through as the lead blocker.

Bernstein sets and mirrors well in pass protection, using his strong hand jolt and proper placement to lock on and sustain. He can easily execute the lead block, and the thing you notice on film is his ability to adjust and block moving targets in space. He strikes with consistent force and will generally sustain his blocks. In pass protection, he is very alert, keeping his head on a swivel to pick up secondary targets, blitzes and games.

2005: Experienced severe stomach pain during practices prior to the North Carolina game (9/17), but received a pain-killing injection and played in that game...Was given another injection prior to the Michigan game (9/24)...Missed the last eight games when it was discovered that he had a sports hernia, possible tears of muscles in the abdominal wall and a hip strain.

Campus: 4.87 in the 40-yard dash

410-pound bench press

620-pound squat

365-pound power clean

33.5-inch vertical jump

31 ½-inch arm length

9 ½-inch hands

Right-handed

24/33 Wonderlic score.

Attended Edgemont (Scarsdale, N.Y.) High School, playing football for coach Brian Connolly

Two-time Class C Player of the Year selection

Excelled as a tailback and linebacker. Rushed for 1,885 yards and 25 scores as a junior

Added 37 touchdowns and 2,002 yards on the ground and made 108 tackles with seven forced fumbles as a senior, earning the prep version of the Heisman Trophy for that performance

Finished his career ranked third all-time in New York prep history in scoring with 504 points

Also a Con Edison Scholar-Athlete.

History major

Son of Steven and Nancy Bernstein

Born 12/26/82

Resides in Scarsdale, New York.