Mike Bernier to Join Nick Bruno at Eastern Illinois
A lot of times when recruits commit to smaller schools, they want more and they wish they would have gotten a bigger offer or a better home. However, that isn’t the case with Eastern Illinois commit, Mike Bernier of Madison, Alabama and Bob Jones high school.
“Mike is really excited about going to Eastern Illinois,” One On One Kicking founder, Mike McCabe stated on Bernier’s commitment, “A lot of kids ask for more but he’s not that guy, he likes what he has and he knows God has a plan for him.”
Bernier has been training with One On One Kicking for nearly a year since meeting Mike McCabe at a camp held at The University of Alabama-Birmingham. Since then, Bernier has been learning from McCabe, both on and off of the field. “He (McCabe) definitely pushes the books,” Bernier said on his kicking coach, “There are a lot of kids with huge legs but they don’t have the grades.”
Despite being the best specialist coach in the country, Mike McCabe takes his trainees under his wing away from the field as well. “He sends me texts all of the time checking up on me,” Bernier stated on McCabe, “He’s just a really genuine guy. I was a late bloomer but we worked hard to get me a scholarship.”
Bernier, a late commit to Eastern Illinois, will join fellow One On One Kicking trainee and All-American, Nick Bruno. Bruno was named FCS Freshman All-American after his outstanding performance as a true freshman with the Panthers – handling field goal, punting, and kickoff duties.
“I think it’s a great combination at Eastern Illinois,” Coach Mike McCabe stated, “It gives Nick Bruno time to focus on field goals and kickoffs rather than all three duties and it really takes pressure off of him.”
Bernier, the incoming freshman punter, will relieve Bruno of punting duties, allowing him to focus on field goals and kickoffs. The One On One Kicking trainees will both benefit from each other’s presence, “They both come from the same company and both know how to help each other,” McCabe stated on the Eastern Illinois duo.
Bruno and Bernier have gotten close since meeting at a One On One Kicking summer camp, “We were good buddies down here at camp and were partners the entire time,” Bernier stated on his soon-to-be teammate.
Without Coach McCabe and One On One Kicking, Mike Bernier says he might not be heading to Eastern Illinois. “McCabe told me to push through,” Bernier stated, “People might say I’m not big enough to go play somewhere, but you have to work harder to earn the scholarship.”
Despite being a relatively new One On One Kicking trainee, Mike Bernier dedicated himself to landing a scholarship. With the help of One On One founder, Mike McCabe, Bernier was able to obtain an offer from Eastern Illinois and will be playing right away as a freshman in 2015. “He has great work ethic, perfects his craft, and does his drill work at a consistent basis,” said Coach McCabe, “And he’s just a great kid.”
Watch out for Eastern Illinois and their One On One Kicking trained specialists – All-American, Nick Bruno and newcomer, Mike Bernier.