Even when one has the skills to reach that next level, it takes a little luck and a college coaching staff willing to take a chance.
Fayetteville junior left tackle Colby Berna (6-4, 270 ) is already receiving letters from multiple Division I coaches willing to take a chance that he can cut it at college football's highest level. And Berna still has next year to bolster his case.
"He's the best offensive lineman I've ever had," Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. "He's a junior with a great future ahead of him and another year in the weight room getting bigger, stronger and faster. He's got a chance to be very special player. He's going to have many options at the next level."
Berna has already taken one official visit to Arkansas and has spoken with UA head coach Houston Nutt and UA offensive line coach Mike Markuson. Berna said both seemed interested in his services. Berna has also received letters from Texas and Mississippi State.
"I've just been told to keep working hard and keep improving," Berna said. "One area that they told me I need to improve in is my strength."
Berna's maximum bench press is approximately 250 pounds but his goal is to increase that to 310 by graduation 2008.
"I know I need to get stronger," Berna said. "Bench isn't my best station but I'm strong in a lot of the others. I'm working hard to increase my strength."
Despite Berna's shortcomings on the bench press, he manages to manhandle his opposition. Berna's ability to anticipate defenders'moves and counter their pass rush schemes with precision has made him a major target of college coaches.
"Being stronger is always better," said Mark White, Fayetteville offensive line coach. "But kids like him with long arms and long torsos have trouble moving a bar like that. Bench isn't a real accurate measuring tool for an offensive lineman's ability. The strongest lineman aren't always your best linemen."
And White would know. He was a starting offensive lineman at both guard and tackle for three years at the University of Florida under Steve Spurrier.
"Lomas Brown who played for Florida and was part of that Great Wall in 1984 and played 15 or 16 years in the NFL was never a great bench presser," White said. "But he had good core strength. He couldn't bench 400 pounds but he could keep 300-pound defensive linemen off him. I don't think bench press will be the determining factor in deciding whether or not Colby can play at the next level."
If Berna's play on the field is the most accurate gauge, then he's well on his way to a laundry list of Division I offers. Berna worked his way into the starting lineup as a sophomore last season, rotating series with Adam Brown at left tackle.
His experience last season is paying big dividends for him this year. White said Berna rarely misses an assignment and is able to harness brute force to stymie defenders. White dubbed Berna the Purple Dogs' best and most technically proficient offensive lineman.
"I can say that without a doubt," White said. "You just won't see a guy who can match him physically. From watching film and just being on the sidelines you can tell he's our most consistent performer on the offensive line."
White expressed confidence in Berna's ability to make the Division I transition if he maintains his current level of progress.
"He's got a lot of natural talent and he's a big, strong kid," White said. "You watch him on film and he's never on the ground, always on his feet and between the defender and the ball. He's got great reaction time and if he gets beat off the ball, he's able to use his athleticism to recover and lay down the block. I think if he continues to get better and get stronger, he has the physical skills and the innate ability to play Division I football."
White said Berna's leadership skills have also blossomed this season. Berna has developed a strong rapport with his teammates and has the confidence of quarterback Blake McDonald, who entrusts Berna with protecting his blindside.
"Colby's doing a better job of being a vocal leader and that's hard as a junior sometimes," White said. "But his peers respect him because he works so hard and he's a very good person and teammate."
Berna and the Purple Dogs (5-2-1, 3-2 ) will travel to Springdale Har-Ber (6-2, 4-1 ) for a key conference tilt Friday at 7: 30 p.m.
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