Being undersized at a smaller program does not make National Football League dreams any easier, and former Nicholls linebacker Chris Bermond understands the odds, but continues to push for an opportunity to compete at the next level.
Bermond is coming off of a career year. He started all 12 games last season, leading the team with 85 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and finished second with 2.5 sacks. His biggest impact came in the turnover column as he forced five fumbles (led team) and intercepted two passes.
Bermond finished his career at Nicholls after transferring from Pearl River Junior College. He feels his progress has improved each season.
“I have always worked on my physical abilities, but the mental aspect is what will get you to the next level because you have guys that play at a high-level mentally,” Bermond said.
Bermond will graduate this May with a degree in pre-professional allied health and sciences. He also serves as a volunteer assistant coach for Nicholls while he chases his goal of getting to the next level. He believes coaching is helping him prepare for the jump.
“I can sit back and watch things develop from another standpoint,” Bermond said. “It has really helped my game.”
Bermond, along with former teammates Abasi Salimu and Erik Buchanan, competed in a pro day at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on March 30. Bermond found out about the regional pro day through a friend who played at Jacksonville State and also participated at a pro day in Atlanta. Bermond skipped out on the one in Atlanta in mid-February because he was in the middle of a training cycle.
Bermond and good friend Salimu had originally planned on attending a pro day in Baltimore, but found themselves in Indianapolis, which had two different days because of the amount of NFL hopefuls.
“When we got there, it was all business,” Bermond said. “We got two reps of everything, and if you bombed out on one of them, you were done. It was the real deal.”
The pro day was designed specifically for smaller school talent. The prospects competed in the 40-yard dash and various skill drills.
“We all ran our forties, and they all kind of sucked, not going to lie,” Bermond said.
The 40 times were clocked after the last part of their body crossed the line, which is different from how times are typically clocked. At the NFL combine, laser technology is used to clock when the first part of the body crosses the line for a more accurate measurement. Bermond clocked in at 4.8 seconds, which, if it was converted, would be around 4.6 to 4.7 seconds.
“Our times were bad, but when it came down to the drills, the results were better,” Bermond said.
The linebackers competed in a circuit where they ran through cones and bags and broke for the ball. Bermond caught all six of the passes thrown his way. Bermond said he cannot recall another player who caught all of the passes.
Bermond said, “It is all about being prepared.”
He had practiced the drills after researching what they would have him do in Indianapolis.
“The director who had us breaking on the ball complimented me on my hands, so I feel like I killed the individual drills,” Bermond said. “I had researched what drills we would be doing so I had practiced them prior to the event.”
Considering his 5’11”, 235- lbs. frame, Bermond understands the odds are against him. He believes he can contribute on special teams and build on that. At Nicholls, Bermond competed on special teams for the kickoff unit.
“That would be a good fit for me because I don’t need the spotlight right off the bat,” Bermond said. “I can earn that, and I know that I would have to earn that.”
The preparation is not over for Bermond, as he will compete on April 10 at Nicholls’ pro day in John L. Guidry and again on April 12 in a Candian Football League combine as well.