ASHLAND — Nathan Bernhard, a 15-year-old Ashland High School freshman, said Monday playing in the Big 10 has always been part of his plan — never mind the fact he grew up watching Ohio State University sports.
“I grew up a Buckeye fan, the whole family did. But I’m open to any opportunity,” he said. “It’s definitely been a dream of mine, playing for a D-1 school and playing football at the highest level.”
It looks like the 6-foot-5 quarterback, who suffered an injury and played less than half of the 2022 high school football season, will get that opportunity. He received an offer to play for Penn State University over the weekend.
He said the timing of the offer — just as the 7-17 basketball team’s season wrapped — surprised him.
“It’s kinda crazy, this is pretty early in the process,” Bernhard said.
The news has the school buzzing.
“I would say it was unexpectedly expected,” said Jason Goings, the district’s athletic director. “It’s not often you see a true freshman get a Big 10 offer.”
Goings said that Bernhard has earned his offer via the work he puts in behind the scenes.
“He’s always working to better his craft. He’s posting things to social media. I knew it wouldn’t be long before he’d be getting attention. And he’s a three-sport athlete — he’s going to be very sought-after,” Goings said.
Bernhard played five games for the Arrows on the football field during the 2022-23 season. The team went 6-5, and he posted some impressive stats. In just five games he completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,267 yards and 8 TDs.
He then started for the Arrows on the basketball court. In the spring, he’ll participate on the varsity track team.
The freshman has been coached by Brad Maendler, a QB tutor based in Hudson, Ohio, since spring 2022. Maendler coached Drew Allar, who will be a sophomore quarterback at Penn State next fall.
“(Allar) blew up overnight into a five-star recruit. It was quite amazing, like he wasn’t even ranked. All of a sudden, he’s in the top 300, then the top 200, and then the top 100. He ended up being ranked in top 10.
“And he’s done nothing but put himself in a great position to be a two- or three-year starter,” Maendler said.
Maendler thinks Bernhard has the same potential, listing off physical characteristics that could serve him well.
“But he’s just really serious about being really good. It’s like talking to a 19-year-old, the maturity he has is incredible,” Maendler said.
The QB guru noted Bernhard is coachable and committed to learning all the correct techniques during the off season.
Goings said he expects Bernhard’s work ethic to rub off on other Ashland athletes, especially his teammates.
“Yes, our program is going to garner a lot of attention. But Nathan’s offer, it’s systemically going to help other players,” Goings said. “He will be under a microscope, and so other players will also be on the radar.
“If they work with him and put in for the same work ethic, others will get opportunities as well.”
Maendler is excited to see Bernhard grow.
“He certainly has a bright future — gonna be a fun one to watch,” he said.
