MONTREAL | The University of Montreal Carabins just landed a game-changing receiver, and college football fans in Quebec are taking notice.
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The University of Montreal football program announced the recruitment of Adam Bernier, a wide receiver from Cégep Garneau. The 20-year-old quickly established himself as a dominant force in Quebec’s collegiate ranks in 2025.
Bernier led all receivers in the first division of the Quebec collegiate circuit with 52 catches, totaling 692 yards and an impressive seven touchdowns. His performance made him a highly sought-after recruit, drawing interest from several universities.
“It was the best fit with my personality,” explained Bernier. “The values of the organization, especially the family aspect, appealed to me. The Carabins also had the best plan for my style of play.”
Bernier thrives on quick passes and opportunities to make defenders miss. “I am a player who likes to get the ball quickly,” he said. “The Carabins advocate a system of play where the objective is to give the ball to athletes capable of breaking tackles.”
Making opponents miss is Bernier’s greatest strength on the football field.
Building a Connection with Gonzalez
A key factor in Bernier’s decision was the presence of quarterback “Pépé” Gonzalez at UdeM. Gonzalez is entering his second university season in 2026, after leading the Carabins to a Vanier Cup victory in his rookie year.
“Having an excellent quarterback, who is young, is a big plus,” Bernier said. “We will be able to create chemistry right now. The connection you have with your quarterback has a significant impact on the success of a pass catcher.”
The Carabins have a history of giving opportunities to first-year players, as evidenced by Gonzalez and receiver Enrique Jaimes Leclair both earning rookie of the year honors in Canada and Quebec during the last two seasons.
Photo JAMES HAJJAR
The Appeal of Staying in Montreal
While it’s becoming more common, it’s still relatively rare for Quebec players to choose the Carabins over the highly successful Rouge et Or program. Bernier, who grew up in the Duberger-Les Saules district, is one of those exceptions.
“When I announced my choice, several people said to me: “Oh yeah, I thought you were going to be a Rouge et Or guy,”” Bernier recalled. “It’s understandable, because when you give up playing in your city, it comes with lots of other challenges like living in an apartment and taking care of your grocery store.”
“Personally, I have other goals in life outside of football and I think moving to Montreal will be profitable,” he continued, emphasizing his desire to take a step towards greater independence as he transitions from CEGEP to university.
- The Carabins also announced the arrival of running back Kelian Nah Goueu. The Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Giants product had 419 yards and two touchdowns on 111 carries in 2025. He also caught eight passes for 68 yards.
