University of Wyoming Athletics

UW This Season: Bernthaler enters fall camp as the No. 2 defensive tackle. He'll be counted on for depth and his experience will be a great asset.

2012: A three-game starter at defensive end, Bernthaler tallied 22 tackles over 12 games. He had three tackles for loss, and one sack for three yards. He also forced one fumble. He was a key member of the defensive line rotation.

Junior College: Bernthaler was ranked by JCGridiron.Rivals.com as the No. 2 best junior college weakside defensive end recruit in the nation in 2011. He was also ranked as the No. 58 best California junior college recruit at all positions by 247Sports.com., and SuperPrep Magazine's Jan. 15, 2012, issue ranked him as the No. 69 junior college recruit in the nation at all positions. Bernthaler was elected a team captain as a sophomore at Fullerton Community College in 2011, and was part of a defense that ranked 14th out of 71 California junior colleges in total defense, allowing only 299.7 yards per game. The Hornets gave up an average of only 24.2 points per game to rank No. 25 in the state in scoring defense. He led Fullerton in tackles for loss, making 14.5 for minus-56 yards. That tied him for 23rd among all California Community College players in 2011. Bernthaler was second on the team in sacks, with eight for minus-42 yards, tying him for 18th in the state of California. Bernthaler tied for fourth on his Fullerton team in tackles, with 43 total tackles from his defensive end position. He was credited with 23 solo tackles and 20 assists. He also was credited with two quarterback hurries, forced two fumbles and recovered one fumble. His two forced fumbles tied him for No. 16 in the state. In 2011, Fullerton posted a 5-5 overall record. Bernthaler's freshman season of 2010, Fullerton posted a 7-4 overall record and won the Golden Empire Bowl Championship. As a junior, he was credited with 22 total tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks. An outstanding student, he earned Academic Honors both years at Fullerton CC by achieving better than a 3.0 grade-point average as a freshman and sophomore. He played for head coach Tim Byrnes at Fullerton College. Bernthaler attended Pestalozzischule High School in Stuttgart, Germany.

Personal: Born Dec. 1, 1989, he is the son of Iris and Bernie Bernthaler. He has one older brother, Kevin, and Bernthaler also has a 3-year-old son, Carter, born May 16, 2010. Bernthaler was also recruited by California, Kansas State, Marshall, Ole Miss and San Jose State. He is pursuing a degree in communications at UW.