The Steelers selected Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard with the 47th pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Steelers made a trade with the Indianapolis Colts to move up to make the selection. The Steelers received the 47th overall pick and the 249th overall from the Colts in the trade. They gave up the 53rd overall pick, as well as the 135th and 237th overall picks.
"We're very excited," said offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio. "Germie is a tremendous person. I was really impressed with him on his 30 visit. His energy, his character, his makeup, who he is as a person. A great football, real productive player. Had a lot of success. Comes from a great program with a lot of history and tradition.
"We like his versatility, his flex to play inside and outside. And when we get him here, certainly we see a guy that can play inside, outside, and ultimately when we start practicing, we'll see where he fits best with the other receivers."
Over two seasons, Bernard appeared in 27 games, finishing with 114 receptions for 1,656 yards, a 14.5-yard average, and nine touchdowns.
In 2025, he appeared in 14 games, finishing with 64 receptions for 862 yards, a 13.5-yard average, and seven touchdowns.
He also can be used out of the backfield and in the return game, flexibility that is attractive to the Steelers.
"I think the flexibility is certainly always attractive when you've got a guy that can help on special teams in all four phases," said Angelichio. "And then certainly we have flexibility to be able to put him in the backfield, move him around so the defense really can't focus in on one area.
"More than anything else, he's a clutch player. He's made a lot of big catches for Alabama in critical moments."
Bernard was one of the players they Steelers had in for a pre-draft visit, and he left an impression.
"His passion, his faith, his commitment, those really stood out to me," said Angelichio. "He's a strong-willed individual who has tremendous faith in his person and what he wants and what he looks for. So, I was really impressed with the maturity of how he looked at things."
Take a look at photos of Pittsburgh Steelers second-round pick, Germie Bernard
Washington wide receiver Germie Bernard runs the ball against Boise State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 56-19. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington wide receiver Germie Bernard (4) scores a touchdown as Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado (9) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) celebrates his second touchdown of the game during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Monroe, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) catches a touchdown pass in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) grabs a pass and runs it into the end zone for a touchdown against Vanderbilt during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) signals for a first down against LSU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (07) poses for a portrait at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026 (AJ Mast/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (07) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (07) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
2025
Leader of the Tide's wide receiver group ... finished tied for fifth in the SEC with seven receiving touchdowns ... also tied for 11th in the conference for total touchdowns with nine ... paced UA in receptions (64) and yards (862) while ranking second in touchdown catches ... added 18 rushes for 101 combined yards with two scores on the ground ... also threw and completed two passes for 15 combined yards ... named a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, presented each year to the nation's top pass-catcher ... selected to the Biletnikoff's Watch List to start his senior season ... named an offensive (skill) player of the week by the Alabama coaching staff for his output against Tennessee. Florida State: Posted a career day in Tallahassee ... led all wideouts with eight receptions for 146 yards ... also added one rush for a three-yard gain. ULM: Paced the Tide offense for a second consecutive week ... totaled three catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns ... found the end zone from 29 and 16 yards out for UA's first two scores of the evening. Wisconsin: Contributed two touchdowns against the Badgers ... caught four passes for 62 yards and a 43-yard score ... added one rush for a two-yard touchdown to start the day's scoring. Georgia: Accumulated 55 all-purpose yards on the night ... registered a team-high tying five receptions for 35 yards and a score ... also rushed five times for 20 yards and completed a four-yard pass against the Bulldogs. Vanderbilt: Hauled in all five targets for 82 yards and a touchdown ... added one rush out of the Wildcat formation. Missouri: Totaled three catches for 20 yards in Columbia. Tennessee: Registered five receptions for 60 yards ... also led the Tide rushers with 49 yards on four carries. South Carolina: Finished with 77 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on the afternoon ... caught five passes for 54 yards and a four-yard score to tie the game late in the fourth quarter ... added three rushes for 23 yards, including a game-winning 25-yard rushing touchdown with just over :30 to play. LSU: Paced the receivers with 79 yards on only three catches ... all three receptions finished in a Tide first down ... added one rush for three yards to go with a completed pass and an 11-yard gain. Oklahoma: Recorded a team-high seven catches for 71 yards against the Sooners. Auburn: Returned to the field after missing the Eastern Illinois matchup ... tallied three receptions for 24 yards to go with a four-yard rush on the ground. Georgia: Led the Tide with six receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown ... found the end zone from 23 yards out, breaking multiple tackles along the way for the score. Oklahoma: Hauled in all three targets for 40 combined yards while adding one rush for no gain. Indiana: Accumulated a team-high 60 yards on four receptions in the Rose Bowl.
2024
Transferred from Washington and immediately stepped into a starting role ... led UA in receptions with 50 for 794 yards and two touchdowns to go with a two-point score ... added four rushes for 37 yards and one touchdown ... selected as an offensive (skill) player of the week by the Alabama coaching staff for his efforts against South Carolina and Auburn. Western Kentucky: Hauled in his lone target for 17 yards and a first down. USF: Recorded a team-high tying four receptions for 53 yards with a long of 22 ... also rushed one time for a 13-yard gain and a Tide first down. Wisconsin: Caught three of his five targets for 55 yards and a touchdown ... scored on a 26-yard reception. Georgia: Totaled eight points with a rushing touchdown and a two-point reception ... carried the ball two times for 18 yards, including his seven-yard score ... finished second in receptions with five for 25 yards. Vanderbilt: Converted a pair of first downs across his three catches for 70 yards ... added one rush for a gain of six yards. South Carolina: Led the Tide receivers with four catches for 89 yards and a touchdown ... converted three first downs to go with his score. Tennessee: Contributed 72 yards on five receptions against the Vols. Missouri: Accumulated 82 yards on five receptions to set game-highs in both categories. LSU: Caught one pass for no gain in Baton Rouge. Mercer: Led the Tide with four catches for 81 yards on the day. Oklahoma: Totaled four receptions for 60 yards against the Sooners. Auburn: Racked up 111 yards on seven receptions to lead the Tide in both categories ... converted six first downs and averaged 15.9 yards per catch on the day. Michigan: Recorded a game-high four catches and 80 yards.
2023 (Washington)
Played in 14 total games with seven starts in his lone season at Washington ... caught 34 passes for 419 yards ... also accumulated 43 yards and two scores on 13 rushing attempts ... added 10 kickoff returns and three punt returns.
2022 (Michigan State)
Worked in all 12 games as a true freshman at Michigan State ... totaled seven receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns ... contributed on special teams as well, totaling 119 yards on six kick returns while registering two tackles for the Spartans.
High School and Personal Data
Ranked as the No. 199 overall prospect, the No. 27 receiver in the nation and No. 4 recruit in Nevada by ESPN.com ... the No. 212 prospect and No. 31 receiver by 247Sports ... also listed as the fifth-rated prospect in Nevada by 247 ... Rivals.com's No. 53 wideout talent and No. 7 prospect in his state ... selected as the Gatorade Player of the Year for Nevada as senior ... also named Mountain League Offensive Most Valuable Player and first team all-league at both wide receiver and return specialist in 2021 ... totaled 956 yards and 12 touchdowns on 53 receptions to go with 452 rushing yards across 37 carries in his final season of prep ball ... coached by Richard Muraco at Liberty High School ... a multi-sport athlete who also played basketball and ran track.
