SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah coaching staff welcomed former BYU linebacker Francis Bernard to the roster Monday, assuming a role he seemed destined to fulfill with the Cougars.
Bernard transferred to Utah after violating BYU’s honor code as a member of the football team and an arrest for misdemeanor impaired driving.
Before joining Utah, Bernard looked like the torchbearer at linebacker for BYU, carrying on a rich tradition of NFL quality players for the Cougars who had filled the same role. After switching from fullback under Bronco Mendenhall to linebacker under current head coach Kalani Sitake, Bernard displayed his impressive football instincts in his one season playing defense at BYU.