NFL Draft: Top-Ranked FCS Specialist Miles Bergner Ready to Find NFL Home

For football specialists chasing the NFL dream, sometimes all they need is a chance. A limited number of guys get picked in the NFL Draft, so most have to prove themselves through a free agent deal or an invite to camp. 

South Dakota's Miles Bergner is one of those guys just waiting for his opportunity. He has all the rankings, accolades and stats needed to be on the radar of NFL teams. Now it's a matter of working out, finishing his degree in Vermillion and waiting to find out later this month where his future will be.

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Bergner is the top ranked specialist out of the FCS and ranked No. 5 out of all 54 punters, according to nfldraftscout.com. He has several all-conference and all-American honors with the Coyotes. And maybe most importantly, he has the versatility that NFL scouts search for.

Bergner was the first player in Missouri Valley Football Conference history to be on the all-conference first team as a punter and placekicker. The Longmont, Colorado, native also served as the kickoff man, doing all three during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

"When I first got to college, I was told it wasn't that important to be able to do all three," Bergner told HERO Sports. "But I'm hearing a lot more of it's really important to have a guy who can be a dual. They like the idea of having one guy show up and compete against two different guys. They like that idea a lot because it saves a roster spot for someone else. They've made that very clear that that's a big factor in their decision now."

With limited roster spots in the NFL, specialists need to stand out in the eyes of scouts. One way to do so is showing that versatility. Another is showing consistency during Pro Day, where Bergner said he thought was a success for him on March 29.

Scouts want to see consistency on field goals. They want punters to show their ability to drop the ball in certain spots, whether it be inside the 10-yard line, the 20 or outside the hashes. Kickoffs is simply showing you can boom the ball as far as you can while getting some air under it.

"Consistency is the one that carries over, especially on a day like a Pro Day," Bergner said. "If you miss field goals, it's going to reflect on you as in can this guy do it under pressure. You have your potential future watching you. It's not cracking under that pressure is a big deal and displaying you can be consistent. Or if you miss, overcome that miss and make the next one."

The four punters ranked ahead of Bergner are from the FBS level, led by Austin Rehkow of Idaho, a program dropping down to the FCS in 2018. But compared to positions such as quarterback or safety, level of play isn't a factor when scouting specialists.

"I think it's different for specialists," Bergner said. "You can get talent out of anywhere. I mean look at Marquette King, he came out of Fort Valley State (Division II) and he's one of the best punters in the NFL right now. The talent kind of comes out of everywhere when it comes to specialists. It doesn't really matter where you start out. If you can prove that you're consistent and can do it well, most of these guys get found and get a shot."

With the process nearing its end, getting that shot is all Bergner is waiting for now. 

"It's kind of a realization of how bad do you really want it," Bergner said. "For me, it's been exciting. It's been stressful. It's been nerve-wracking. It takes you all over the place. It's crazy, but it's a lot of fun. I'm glad I'm through my Pro Day. Now I can kind of relax a little bit and focus on school."

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Bergner isn't the lone FCS specialist shooting for an NFL career. Here are some other top-ranked guys to watch for:

NOTE: All rating/ranking data mentioned below is with NFLDraftScout.com.

PUNTER

Chris Fraser, Cornell – Rated the No. 9 punter prospect in the NFL Draft, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Fraser is very likely to land a free agent contract right after the draft. He’s been one of the Ivy League’s top prospects – with the ability to send a punt soaring out of his own end zone upwards to 60-plus yards. He’ll find a home somewhere.

PLACEKICKER

Eric Medina, Texas Southern – Nobody was more accurate in the FCS last year than the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Medina. He hit 15 out of 16 field goals for a 94-percent clip. When you need a clutch field goal, this is your go-to guy – and the NFL is aware of it. He is rated the No. 12 kicker in this draft class.

LONG SNAPPER

Josh Appel, Indiana State – When it comes to the art of long-snapping, this 6-foot-2, 260 FCS All American is your guy. Depending on the ranking service, he’s considered somewhere in the No. 5 to No. 7 range when it comes to 2017 class long snappers. He’ll have a job by this time in May.