Canadian offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron opted not to participate in several of the highest-profile athletic tests at the 2023 NFL Combine but still helped his draft stock with a strong overall showing.
Bergeron measured in at six-foot-five and 318 pounds with 33 3/4-inch arms, posting a 30.5-inch vertical and eight-foot, seven-inch broad jump. However, the Syracuse product chose not to run the forty-yard dash, three-cone, short shuttle or participate in the bench press in Indianapolis and will instead perform those tests at his pro day.
Nevertheless, the native of Victoriaville, Que. impressed scouts with his smooth movement skills during the on-field drills and was highlighted several times on the television broadcast. He is projected to be a Day 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and could start early in his professional career.
Bergeron attended Cégep de Thetford and became the first player in that program’s history to play NCAA football when he received a solitary scholarship offer from Syracuse University. He made five starts at right tackle as a true freshman in 2019 and flipped to the left side the next season, recording 39 consecutive starts in his four-year college career.
The Canadian was a two-time All-ACC selection for the Orange, earning second-team status in 2022. He also received an invite to the prestigious Reese’s Senior Bowl all-star game, excelling against top draft prospects.
Bergeron is the fifth-rated prospect in the 2023 CFL Draft but is unlikely to ever play in Canada due to his high NFL interest.