Turner Bernard Bio
Turner Bernard (born August 14, 1998) is an American football long snapper whose professional career has spanned the National Football League (NFL) and the spring football leagues. He played college football at San Diego State, where he built a reputation as a fast and accurate snapper across multiple seasons. After entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent, Bernard transitioned into the United States Football League (USFL) and later the United Football League (UFL), where he has continued his role as a specialist.
Early Life and Background
Turner Bernard was born on August 14, 1998, in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in the Phoenix metropolitan area and attended Mountain Ridge High School in nearby Glendale, Arizona. At Mountain Ridge, Bernard was a three-year starter and a two-time all-state selection at the long snapper position, quickly establishing himself as one of the top specialists in the region.
His high school profile earned national attention, including a five-star rating from Kohl’s Kicking and the designation as the nation’s top incoming long snapper in his class. Bernard was also selected as one of two long snappers to play in the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game, a showcase that highlighted the country’s best high school talent. Despite receiving offers from programs such as Utah and Northwestern, he chose to continue his career at San Diego State.
Path to American Football
Bernard arrived at San Diego State on an athletic scholarship and redshirted the 2016 season after suffering an ACL injury. The setback delayed his on-field debut but did not derail his development as a long snapper. When he returned, he quickly earned a starting role and became a fixture for the Aztecs across multiple seasons.
From 2017 through 2020, Bernard started every game he was available for, including all 13 games in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons and all four games of the shortened 2020 season affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Coaches and teammates regarded him as a fast and accurate snapper, traits that have defined his professional career. His consistency at San Diego State positioned him for an opportunity at the next level, even though he went unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Turner Bernard Career
Early Career (2021)
Following the 2021 NFL Draft, Turner Bernard signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2021. His path into the league reflected the long snapper route many specialists take, earning a roster opportunity through offseason work and minicamp performances. The Vikings valued his accuracy and snap speed as they evaluated their special teams depth chart.
Bernard remained with the Vikings through the spring and into training camp, competing for a roster spot at long snapper. On August 16, 2021, he was waived as the team finalized its roster. Although his time in Minnesota was brief, the experience gave him professional regular-season preparation and confirmed that his skill set could translate to the professional level.
New Orleans Breakers Era (2022–2023)
After his release from the Vikings, Bernard found a new opportunity in the spring football landscape. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 USFL Draft by the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League. The Breakers provided a platform for Bernard to resume his role as a long snapper and to compete for a championship in a developing league.
Bernard spent two seasons with the New Orleans Breakers, contributing on special teams during the 2022 and 2023 USFL campaigns. His tenure with the Breakers ended when the USFL and the XFL merged to form the newly created United Football League (UFL), a development that dissolved the Breakers’ roster and opened a new chapter for players across both leagues.
Memphis Showboats Era (2024–2025)
On January 15, 2024, Turner Bernard was drafted by the Memphis Showboats, one of the charter franchises of the United Football League. The selection marked his entry into the UFL and gave him a fresh roster home following the USFL-XFL merger. Bernard re-signed with the Showboats on August 26, 2024, signaling the organization’s continued confidence in his long-snapping duties.
Entering the 2025 season, Bernard remains part of the Memphis Showboats roster, where he is expected to handle long-snapping responsibilities on punts, field goals, and extra points. His continued presence with the team reflects a stable specialist pairing in a league still building its identity.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a long snapper, Turner’s strengths center on snap speed, accuracy, and consistency in delivering the ball cleanly to the punter or holder. Coaches at San Diego State described him as a fast and accurate snapper, traits that translated into professional opportunities. His ability to perform under the timing demands of special teams has allowed him to extend his career across multiple professional organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Turner’s most notable achievements is his selection to the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game as one of two long snappers, an early indicator of his professional trajectory. He also earned a five-star rating from Kohl’s Kicking and was named the nation’s top incoming long snapper in his recruiting class, distinctions that highlighted his specialized craft.
Turner Bernard Career Wins
As a long snapper, Turner’s professional impact is measured less in traditional win totals and more in roster stability, special teams reliability, and the championships or playoff runs of his teams. His career has included stops with the Minnesota Vikings, the New Orleans Breakers, and the Memphis Showboats, giving him experience across the NFL and the modern spring football landscape.
New Orleans Breakers Highlights
During his time with the New Orleans Breakers, Bernard served as the team’s long snapper for two USFL seasons. While individual statistics for long snappers are not always publicly tracked, his durability and consistency allowed the Breakers’ special teams units to operate smoothly across both the 2022 and 2023 campaigns.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his professional resume, Turner’s prep accolades include two all-state selections at Mountain Ridge High School and a five-star rating from Kohl’s Kicking. He was also recognized as the top incoming long snapper in his class, reinforcing his standing as one of the most highly regarded specialists of his recruiting cycle.
Turner Bernard Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Turner’s family background is limited. He was born and raised in the Phoenix, Arizona area, and his development as a long snapper took place in that region, where he attended Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale.
Personal Life
Turner Bernard is known professionally for his long-snapping career and his social media presence. Detailed information about his spouse, children, or extended family has not been publicly confirmed, and any such details are not included here in the absence of reliable sources.
2025 Season Performance
Turner Bernard enters the 2025 season with the Memphis Showboats, where he re-signed in August 2024 and continues to handle long-snapping duties. The Showboats are part of the United Football League’s second season following the USFL-XFL merger, and Bernard’s role remains central to the team’s special teams operation. His experience from two prior USFL seasons with the New Orleans Breakers gives him familiarity with the spring football format.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Bernard’s primary focus will be delivering consistent snaps on punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. Special teams reliability is often measured in clean executions rather than headline statistics, and his track record at San Diego State and with the Breakers suggests continued dependability for the Showboats.
Looking ahead, Turner’s continued presence on the Memphis roster points to organizational trust in his long-snapping ability. As the UFL continues to grow, his role as a veteran specialist provides a steady foundation for the Showboats’ special teams units throughout the 2025 season.