Redshirt junior OL with a strong developmental profile at UNI
Berends is a **6-foot-3, 279-pound redshirt junior** offensive lineman at Northern Iowa who has not seen game action in 2024 or 2025, so he remains more of a developmental depth piece than a proven on-field commodity right now.[3][5] What stands out is his athletic background and toughness: he was a high-level high school defender and a four-year all-conference basketball player, suggesting coordination, competitiveness, and multi-sport movement skills that can translate well to line play.[3] If you need a polished, battle-tested starter today, he is not that yet; if you want a physically mature, coachable lineman with upside and depth value, he fits the profile.[3][5]
