A few months before the draft, Matthew Bergeron has his eyes on the NFL. After four seasons with the Syracuse Orange in the NCAA, the 22-year-old Quebecer is now eligible to be selected in the most important American football league – and he will give everything in the coming months to get there.
“Excuse me, there’s traffic in California!” “Newly represented by the agency Rep1 Sports, the great offensive lineman flew in early December for Orange County, on the west coast of the United States. He has been training there for a few weeks with his agent, a few mentors and his physical trainers.
“After the season, it was pretty clear that I was going to qualify for the draft. The only thing was to determine when I was going to do it and the little details that go with it, he explains to us on the phone. Everyone around me expected it. It wasn’t a big surprise. »
In California, the native of Victoriaville is trying in particular to get used to playing as a right tackle, he who has held the position of left tackle for two and a half years, to “show scouts” that he is comfortable.
The 6-foot-5, 322-pound prospect also does work off the field: answering interview questions, learning playbooks, watching movies to read NFL defenses… you name it. .
To do this, he can notably benefit from the advice of Joe Staley, one of the best left tackles of the last decade, and Garett Bolles, who has played in this position for the Denver Broncos since 2017. The two athletes do them also part of the Rep1 Sports agency.
According to various specialized sites, Matthew Bergeron may hear his name in the second or third round of the auction. Visibly focused, he chooses not to pay attention to it. “I have direct info from my agent and NFL teams. It’s different. What happens in the media is just people’s opinion. »
Proud of his path
In Syracuse, under head coach Dino Babers and offensive line coach Mike Schmidt, the Quebecer was recognized for his progress between his first season in 2019 and his last campaign, where he was elected to the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Second Team All-Star.
“It’s hard to put your finger on an exact thing,” he said. I got better at recognizing defenses, I’m more consistent in my footwork and handwork. That’s the offensive line, having a game complete. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MATTHEW BERGERON
In view of the draft, the Quebecer compares himself to Christian Darrisaw, left tackle for the Minnesota Vikings. “The things that are said of me, they were said of him. »
Perceiving himself as a natural leader, he was named by his teammates as one of the program’s four captains last fall. “I didn’t change my behavior to be captain, and people followed me naturally, he points out. This is one of the accomplishments of which I am most proud. »
A former Filons from Cégep de Thetford Mines, Matthew Bergeron did not even think of the NFL before crossing the border.
“When I was in Quebec, I thought it was inaccessible. Then I saw scouts at our practices who were there to watch my teammates Andre Cisco, now a safety with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Alton Robinson, who is on the Seattle Seahawks defensive line. I told myself that if I worked hard like them, it was possible. »
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif played in Montreal and Benjamin St-Juste too. Victoriaville, no one has done [la NFL] from there. I saw it unreachable.
Matthew Bergeron
“If I take the next step, I will serve as an example for young players in the region,” he adds. You just have to work hard, have a good work ethic. »
To the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine
On February 4, the great offensive tackle will have the chance to participate in the Senior Bowl, in Mobile, Alabama. This annual tradition brings together the NCAA’s top prospects for practices, interviews and an exhibition game.
On February 27, in Indianapolis, the famous NFL Combine will come next, where athletes who have made themselves eligible are invited to participate in various physical tests, such as the 40-yard sprint, the vertical jump or the bench press 225 lbs.
Around mid-March, those who have not received an invitation to the Combine or who wish to resume their physical tests will also have the opportunity to do so at Pro Day.
Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, a native of Montreal, had also improved his rating by participating in these events in 2021. He was selected by the Washington Commanders in the third round, with the 74e total choice.
“We have different but similar backgrounds. Benjamin did the Senior Bowl and the Combine, so he went the same route I’m about to take. It’s good to have someone like him just a call or a message away. And LDT, I play the same position as him. I would like to follow in his footsteps. »
As we wrapped up the interview, we asked Bergeron what his goal was for draft night.
“I want to be happy with my performance in the next three stages. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the first or seventh round, it doesn’t matter the team. It’s not the start that counts, it’s the process. »
Still four months before the repechage
The next NFL Draft will be held from April 27 to 29, 2023. Consisting of seven rounds, it annually allows 224 college football players to join one of the 32 teams on the circuit.