Nat Berhe facts for kids
Berhe with the New York Giants in 2017
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | July 6, 1991 Fontana, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Colton (Colton, California) | ||||||||
| College: | San Diego State | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2014 / Round: 5 / Pick: 152 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Natnael Sabhato Berhe (born July 6, 1991) is an American former professional football safety. He was chosen by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football for San Diego State.
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Nat Berhe's Early Life
Nat Berhe was born in Fontana, California. He went to Colton High School. His mother, Judy, is African American. His father, Berhe Asfaha, came from Eritrea in 1970. When Nat was young, his family owned a gas station. His cousin, Isaac Amanios, was also an immigrant from Eritrea.
Nat played two years of varsity football. He played as a defensive back and running back. He also earned awards twice in track and field. Nat was a member of the honor society too. In his senior year, he became a team captain for the Colton Yellow Jackets. His strong play earned him a spot on the All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) defensive team. This meant he was one of the best defensive players in his area.
College Football Journey
Nat Berhe was a highly sought-after player coming out of high school. He was ranked as one of the top safeties in California. Many colleges were interested in him. He received scholarship offers from San Diego State, the University of Minnesota, the University of New Mexico, and UTEP.
Playing for San Diego State
Nat decided to join the San Diego State Aztecs football team. He spent his first year, 2009, as a redshirt. This means he practiced with the team but didn't play in games. In 2010, Nat played in 12 games. He first played on defense and special teams against Nicholls State. Later that year, he recovered a fumble against New Mexico State. This play helped set up a touchdown for his team.
Nat got his first interception in college against Utah State. He returned it 10 yards. He made his first start against Air Force, helping the Aztecs win. He missed one game due to a concussion.
In 2011, Nat started all 13 games. He got his second career interception against Michigan. He also had his most tackles in a game against Wyoming. Later, against Colorado State, he forced a fumble and got another interception. His great play earned him the MW co-defensive Player of the Week award. In the New Orleans Bowl, he had a career-high 10 tackles. He was recognized as an honorable mention on the all-Midwestern conference team.
In 2013, his final year with the Aztecs, Nat was named team captain. He recovered fumbles against Northern Illinois and Oregon State. Against Air Force, he had 14 tackles, his most in a game. He also got his first career sack against New Mexico. Later, he returned a blocked kick 56 yards against San Jose State. He finished the year with a career-high 99 tackles. He was also tied for the most fumble recoveries on the team. At the end of the year, he was chosen as a 1st-team All-Mountain West player. This was voted on by coaches and media.
Nat finished his college career having played in 51 games. He had 299 tackles, one sack, and five interceptions. He also recovered four fumbles.
Becoming a Pro Football Player
Before the NFL draft, experts thought Nat Berhe would be picked in the fourth or fifth round. They praised his quick reactions and aggressive tackling style. They also noted his passion for the game and friendly personality. However, some thought his size was more suited for a cornerback. They also mentioned he sometimes played "out of control" and might miss tackles.
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand size | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (1.79 m) |
193 lb (88 kg) |
30+5⁄8 in (0.78 m) |
8+1⁄2 in (0.22 m) |
4.5 s | 1.63 s | 2.74 s | 4.22 s | 7.08 s | 35+1⁄2 in (0.90 m) |
9 ft 9 in (2.97 m) |
15 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine | ||||||||||||
New York Giants Career
The New York Giants chose Nat Berhe in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was the 152nd player picked overall. This made him the first Eritrean-American player ever drafted into the NFL.
After his first preseason game, where he had three tackles and forced a fumble, his coach gave him the nickname "The Missile." Nat said he learned a lot from the experienced players on the team.
On September 5, 2015, Nat's 2015 season ended early. He was placed on injured reserve by the Giants. He had missed most of training camp because of a calf injury. This injury needed surgery.
Pittsburgh Steelers Career
On April 4, 2018, Nat Berhe signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played for them during the 2018 season.
Nat Berhe's Personal Life
Nat Berhe is the first player with Eritrean heritage to be drafted into the NFL. His father is from Eritrea. He is also the cousin of former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith.
