Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sean Payton, Vance Joseph, and the Denver Broncos want a closer look at the latest viral sensation ahead of the 2026 draft, a prospect named Uar Bernard.
Bernard, a native of Nigeria, drew increased attention last week. The defensive lineman is the kind of physical specimen that typically makes waves at this point of the calendar due to impressive workouts.
The Broncos have certainly taken notice.
Broncos Show Interest in Viral Sensation Uar Bernard
Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos
GettyHead coach Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Oakland Raiders.
“#Broncos are hosting Uar Bernard, defensive lineman from Nigeria who went viral this week, on a top-30 visit next week, his trainer Javon Gopie told @denverpost,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans reported in a post on X on April 4. “He’ll visit with #Colts before that.
“6-4 1/2, 306 pounds, body fat 6%, ran 40 in 4.63 seconds. 39-inch vert. Unreal.”
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, author of the annual “Freaks List,” called Bernard “the biggest freak athlete” of the 2026 class in a post on X on April 3.
Per Feldman in an article on April 3, veteran quarterback coach George Whitfield compared Bernard to NBA phenom Victor Wembanyama, saying the “numbers don’t do him justice,” and that “NBA players don’t have 6 percent body fat on them.”
Trainer Jordan Luallen told Feldman that Bernard is unlike anyone he has seen before.
“Hands down, he is the most explosive athlete I’ve ever seen in my life,” Luallen said, per Feldman. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Uar Bernard Name-Drops Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
GettyAaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts against the Arizona Cardinals.
Bernard has impressed the head of the NFL’s International Pathway Program, Skyler Fulton, who noted how “crazy” it has been to see the prospect progress while projecting a Day 3 slot in the draft.
Bernard said that his “football role models are Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett,” per Feldman.
However, there is a significant hurdle to overcome–inexperience–with no organized football in his background.
“For the body % fat bros arguing about how shredded this prospect is, I don’t care,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein posted on X on April 3 in reaction to Feldman’s post on Bernard. “His body type, testing and overall measurables are extraordinarily rare. Doesn’t make him a football player right now, but he is freaky.”
Bernard’s predictive and raw athleticism scores rank first in the 2026 class, per Next Gen Stats. He picked up parts of the game of football by watching videos on YouTube and has trained others when not training himself.
Broncos Boast Depth Along D-Line
Sai'vion Jones, Denver Broncos
GettySai’vion Jones #95 of the Denver Broncos drives against Jeremiah Byers #67 of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Broncos must replace starting defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. Franklin-Myers signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
The Broncos have several options on hand to replace him. Veteran Malcom Roach is a logical option to start next to Zach Allen. Recent draft picks Sai’vion Jones (2025) and Eyioma Uwazurike (2022) are already in the pipeline for the Broncos, too.
But international players can be signed via an exemption.
“Each NFL club is permitted one roster exemption for a qualifying international player from the start of the club’s offseason program through the roster reduction to 53 players,” the NFL wrote in December 2015. “At that time, qualifying international players are eligible to be signed to a 17th practice squad roster spot reserved for international athletes across any of the 32 teams.”
That means the Broncos could target Bernard as a developmental project in the draft or as a priority free agent, and still flesh out their roster as needed.