Bentley guard opens some eyes

At Boston College's Pro Day, Bentley's Mackenzy Bernadeau intrigued NFL coaches and scouts with a spectacular workout. (Michele McDonald/Globe Staff)

Mackenzy Bernadeau did not play Division 1 football. He did not attend a huge school or compete in a Bowl Championship Series conference. Quite the contrary.

The offensive lineman from Division 2 Bentley injured his left knee and missed the last four games of his senior season, was unable to participate in the Cactus Bowl and Texas vs. The Nation all-star games, and did not even get invited to the NFL Combine.

And yet, Bernadeau's draft stock is high. His prospects were given a boost when his performance at Boston College's Pro Day sparked interest from several NFL scouts.

How did all this happen?

"To tell you the truth, I'm very surprised myself," said Bernadeau, a 6-foot-3 1/2-inch, 292-pounder from Waltham. "I'm not exactly sure what I did. I guess I was flexible and athletic for a big guy. But, in truth, they didn't tell me exactly what I did, just that they liked the way I moved and that I moved like an athlete."

Said Bentley coach Peter Yetten, "He opened a lot of eyes at the BC combine. But he was disappointed in his performance. That's just the way he is. But when [Chiefs coach] Herm Edwards was asked about him, even he said Mac was the most intriguing prospect."

Bernadeau ran the 40 in 5.19 seconds and did 29 repetitions of the 225-pound bench press. "He's the ultimate sleeper," Yetten said. "All 32 teams have been in to see him, some three or four times. I think he'll be drafted."

If Bernadeau's travel schedule of late is any indication - he's visited Green Bay, Dallas, Seattle, Jacksonville, and Carolina - there's a strong chance he will hear his name called this weekend. "We've never had anyone drafted, so this would be a first for Bentley College," Yetten said.

But no matter what comes, Bernadeau expects to continue to work toward his business degree and graduate in May.

And what about not playing Division 1? "I think some people might see that as a weakness, but I'm a coachable kid," Bernadeau said. "I've proved to every coach that I'm a fast learner. If there's one thing I've learned, the biggest difference in the NFL is that you'll see the best competition. And it'll make you better or it won't. But it's still football. It's still blocking and tackling, just with bigger, stronger, and faster people. But I'm ready to go at it."

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