Tar Heels RB Bernard entering NFL Draft

Dec 14, 2012 - 3:54 PM Chapel Hill, NC (Sports Network) - North Carolina sophomore running back Giovani Bernard announced Friday that he is giving up his final two years of eligibility to enter the 2013 NFL Draft.

The Florida native is a two-time All-ACC selection as a running back and once as a return man.

Despite missing two games this season, Bernard rushed for a league-best 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns on 184 carries, and was also the nation's top punt returner, averaging 16.4 yards with two scores. He added five receiving touchdowns while finishing with a single-season school record 198.1 all- purpose yards per game.

Bernard redshirted in 2010 after tearing his ACL on the third day of preseason practice. He returned healthy the next season and set a UNC freshman record by rushing for 1,253 yards.