By Charles Chandler, The Charlotte Observer


There was no path from Bentley College to the NFL – or any other major pro sports league – so Mackenzy Bernadeau blazed it.

He became the first from his school drafted into the NFL when the Carolina Panthers selected him 250th overall last year, two spots before the final pick.

He made the roster and spent his rookie season in what amounted to a redshirt role, but his time as a prospect-in-waiting ended abruptly last Sunday when veteran tackle Jordan Gross suffered a season-ending injury against Atlanta.

Bernadeau (pronounced burr-NAR-doe) was thrust into the lineup at left guard so Travelle Wharton could move from there to take Gross' spot at left tackle.

Tonight at Bank of America Stadium, Bernadeau (6-4, 320 pounds) makes the first start of his career against the Miami Dolphins.

“I feel I'm ready,” he said. “I've been here a year and a half now. I've played behind these guys for a while. I've learned from all of them.”

Back at Bentley, a school of about 4,000 students located in Waltham, Mass., just outside of Boston, Bernadeau has been a hot topic this week.

“People here, especially, on campus, follow his career,” said Bentley coach Thom Boerman. “Everyone up here is a (New England) Patriots fan, no doubt about it. But you've got a lot of closet Panthers fans now that Mac is on the team.”

Carolina offensive line coach Dave Magazu has spent the past few days working overtime to help get Bernadeau ready to face Miami's 3-4 defense, which poses a much different challenge than Atlanta's more basic 4-3 scheme.

“You try to prep these guys and get them ready to play, but there are going to be things that are going to pop up that he hasn't experienced before,” said Magazu, adding that playing between two seasoned veterans in Wharton and center Ryan Kalil will help.

Magazu got his first glimpse of Bernadeau in March 2008, when representatives from more than 20 NFL teams swarmed to Boston College for a pre-draft workout for Eagles players and prospects from surrounding schools.

The star attractions that day were Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, who went on to be the No. 3 overall selection by Atlanta, and Eagles tackle Gosder Cherilus, who was picked later in the first round by Detroit.

Bernadeau displayed unusually quick feet and hands for a player his size. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.19 seconds and had 27 repetitions bench-pressing 225 pounds.

“I think he's a very talented kid,” Magazu said. “He has the toughness, he's intelligent, he's athletic, and he's a pretty powerful guy.

“The only downside is his lack of experience. Not a knock on Bentley, but it's a far stretch between Bentley College and playing in the NFL. It's not like he's coming in here from Oklahoma or some place like that.”

Bentley is an NCAA Division II school that gives no athletic scholarships and has an annual tuition around $50,000. Bernadeau attended with the help of several grants and other forms of financial aid.

He became an instant starter as a freshman and started 37 consecutive games before suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee late in his senior year.

The knee injury forced him to turn down two invitations to play in all-star games that would have given him some exposure in front of pro scouts.

He was not invited to the NFL scouting combine.

Once his knee healed, he began preparing for the Boston College pro day at DeFrancos gym in Wyckoff, N.J. He said he regained the 25 pounds he lost during the injury, putting it back on with more muscle and less fat.

Unlike some draft prospects who focus solely on football at the expense of schoolwork, Bernadeau remained committed to academics.

Twice a week, he made the four-hour commute from DeFrancos to Bentley so he could attend classes. That allowed him to graduate on time with a degree in business management, which he hopes to parlay into entrepreneurial interests such as owning a fitness facility and restaurants.

Bernadeau has continued to work out at DeFrancos during the offseason and twice has won a strongman contest sponsored the gym, which required him to perform such feats as pulling a truck by a rope.

He's also developed quite a reputation for strength in the Panthers' weight room. He said he has bench-pressed more than 400 pounds.

“He's very stout, very strong,” said Panthers defensive lineman Damione Lewis. “If he gets his hands on you, you've got trouble.”

Lewis said he expects Bernadeau to fare well as a starter for the Panthers.

Boerman, the Bentley coach, agrees – even though he knows it wasn't Carolina's plan to be playing Bernadeau so soon.

“Would he benefit from a little more grooming? I'm sure he would,” Boerman said.

“But he's worked so hard, and he's very smart. This is a young man who learns very quickly. I think he's ready for this opportunity.”