Gators' Bernstein chooses Vanderbilt

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:28PM

With the beginning of the season looming later this week, Crystal Lake South offensive tackle Jake Bernstein orally committed to Vanderbilt on Tuesday night.

Bernstein, a 6-4, 275-pound senior, chose the Commodores over Minnesota and Colorado. He becomes Crystal Lake South's second offensive lineman to commit to a Division-I program after Fahn Cooper committed to Bowling Green earlier this summer.

"It was based off an academic decision," Bernstein said. "When I went (to Vanderbilt) for an unofficial visit in June I learned just how high they were on academics."

Vanderbilt's education played a part, but Bernstein also had his sights set on a potential future career.

"They have a great strength coach and I want to be a strength coach someday when I get older," Bernstein said. "I felt like they could help me with my future passion."

Crystal Lake South coach Chuck Ahsmann says Bernstein put in a lot of work to get become a Division-I prospect.

"He's a two-year starter for us that has come up really big," Ahsmann said. "He's been working hard getting in the weight room and getting stronger. He's rock solid. To have a big guy like that on the offensive line is huge."

Bernstein, who had over 10 scholarship offers according to Ahsmann, can now focus on the upcoming season.

"Hopefully we begin 1-0 and hopefully after that we continue to 9-0," Bernstein said. "We want to be a team to be reckoned with."

The No. 17 Gators open their season on Friday at Grant.

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