Louisiana OT names top four

Lafayette (La.) St. Thomas More is home to one of the state’s most physically imposing linemen in Geoff Berniard.

At 6-foot-8 and 325 pounds, Berniard towers over most of his prep competition and projects as a fine offensive tackle on the next level. He’s already received scholarship offers from Mississippi State, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Vanderbilt, Duke and Louisiana-Lafayette while drawing interest from the likes of LSU, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Oregon.

“Mississippi State is probably recruiting me the hardest,” he said. “I went to camp there this summer, and they seemed to really like me. I had a good time there. I liked the coaching staff. They were really good to be around.

“They’re in my top four right now with Tennessee, Florida State and LSU. I’ve been to Mississippi State and LSU for camp, so I know what they’re like, but I want to go to the other two schools at some point this season and see what they’re like. I think I’ll have scholarship offers from all of them before too long.”

Berniard said he’d like to play in the SEC if possible.

“I’ve always been a big SEC fan,” he said. “I’ve watched those three teams a lot. They’re big-name schools with a lot of tradition.”

Other keys in his recruitment include "my relationship with the offensive line coach, the facilities and, even though I'd probably like to play as a freshman, I probably need the opportunity to redshirt. I want to get stronger and have that year to learn if possible."

Academically, Berniard maintains a 2.5 GPA and has scored an 18 on the ACT. He’s waiting on his SAT scores.