{"id":175631,"date":"2026-04-25T08:15:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T08:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/175631\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T08:15:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T08:15:14","slug":"in-pittsburgh-germie-bernard-reunites-with-one-of-his-most-important-mentors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/175631\/","title":{"rendered":"In Pittsburgh, Germie Bernard Reunites With One Of His Most Important Mentors"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Pittsburgh Steelers second-round pick WR Germie Bernard<\/a> reports to the team, he\u2019ll be with a familiar face.<\/p>\n

In a conference call with local media after being selected, Bernard told reporters, including Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette<\/a>, that OT Troy Fautanu was a mentor to him in both high school and college. Bernard began his college career at Michigan State, then spent a year at Washington before transferring to Alabama after head coach Kalen DeBoer left UW for the Alabama job. He and Fautanu played together at Washington.<\/p>\n

Steelers second-rounder Germie Bernard on the phone now. Says he and Troy Fautanu are really good friends, and that Fautanu was a mentor to him in both high school and college when Bernard was at Washington before Alabama.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not easy for a rookie to acclimate to the NFL. There\u2019s a different structure, different routines and more talent than in college. But the transition for Bernard should be made easier, now that he\u2019s playing alongside a friend and mentor in Fautanu.<\/p>\n

Fautanu just went through the transition two years ago, so he should be able to help Bernard get ready for life in the NFL.<\/p>\n

Bernard will also have two great mentors in the wide receiver room with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. to learn from. Both of them are accomplished receivers and former Pro Bowlers who can help take Bernard under their wing to elevate the Steelers\u2019 wide receiver room. Improving the wide receiver room was a focus for the Steelers this offseason, and Bernard joins Pittman as a new addition to the room.<\/p>\n

Bernard is the first Alabama prospect the Steelers have selected since taking Najee Harris in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He\u2019ll have plenty of familiarity from his college days in his new locker room, with Fautanu and Carson Bruener, former teammates of his at Washington. It\u2019s cool that he and Fautanu have a long-standing relationship dating back to his high school days. Bernard should fit in seamlessly in Pittsburgh\u2019s locker room.<\/p>\n

He also told reporters, including Batko, that Pittsburgh already felt like home<\/a> during his pre-draft visit earlier this month. That feeling will likely permeate as he reunites with some of his former teammates when he gets to work with the full team during OTAs. Bernard is the type of receiver who fits Mike McCarthy\u2019s offense, and the fanbase will surely embrace him if he can elevate Pittsburgh\u2019s offense as the team expects.<\/p>\n