On the final day of the Hawaii football team’s offseason conditioning program last month, wideout Isaiah Bernard ran 20 yards in 2.64 seconds — a decent but not an oh-my-gosh fast time.
“I’m more of a long strider,” said Bernard, who is 5 feet 11 and 190 pounds. “I’m not a real quick guy. I pick up speed later down.”
In the long run, Bernard is hopeful for a strong finish to his UH career as he enters his senior season. In 2015, his first at UH after transferring from Glendale Community College, Bernard played in 12 games, starting six and finishing fifth among Rainbow Warriors with 21 catches for 219 yards. He did not play in the 2015 finale because of an injury — a DNP that extended through the 2016 season when he redshirted.
There had been speculation Bernard might not return as a fifth-year senior, fueled by his initial inclusion on the 2016 senior-night list. “I told them to take my name off there,” Bernard said. “I didn’t think I was going anywhere, to be honest. My mind-set was in staying here.”
Bernard reaffirmed his pledge to remain with the Warriors. He participated in spring practice and the offseason conditioning program, earned a bachelor’s degree in May, and now is contending for playing time this training camp.
“He brings great attitude,” offensive coordinator Brian Smith said. “He’s a good leader with that (receivers) group that brings a lot of top-end speed. The more reps he gets, the better opportunity he gets to develop in our offense. There’s a weapon there, and he has the ability to help us.”
In 2015, Don Bailey, who was the offensive coordinator at the time, felt Bernard was a better fit than wideout Ammon Barker for the Warriors’ newly installed spread offense. Barker was not a pass target once that season. In 2016, first-year head coach Nick Rolovich implemented an offense that blended run-and-shoot, run-pass-option and pistol concepts. This time, Barker was the starter while Bernard was held out the first, second and third games … and eventually for the entire season.
“After the third game of the season, when I wasn’t getting into the rotation, that’s when I made the decision (to redshirt),” Bernard said. “I pretty much spent the time learning the playbook better.”
The move also was beneficial to the Warriors, who were able to space out the classes and not lose both 2015 starting wideouts at the end of the 2016 season. Marcus Kemp was a senior last year.
Bernard spent last season learning the intricacies of the hybrid offense. This offseason, he has worked on his pass catching and disengagements from pressing cornerbacks. “I’m trying to do everything right,” Bernard said. “That’s what I’ve been working on. I hope I’ll have a chance to get on the field and show them.”
In May, Bernard reached the biggest stage of his life. “It felt amazing,” Bernard said of accepting his diploma on the Stan Sheriff Center stage in May. “My family was there. It was cool for them to see me get my diploma.”
His parents attended college but left without degrees because of other obligations. “My dad always told me he wanted me to do better than him,” Bernard said. “He always told me to work hard and do well in in school and sports and to keep going no matter what. Even after this, I plan on getting my master’s.”
