Early Life & Background

Bernhard Raimann was born and raised in the small municipality of Steinbrunn, located in the district of Eisenstadt-Umgebung within the state of Burgenland, Austria. Raised in a country without a strong gridiron football culture, Raimann’s path to the National Football League represents one of the most improbable narratives in professional sports. His journey from a childhood in a German-speaking region of Central Europe to eventually becoming a third-round draft pick in the NFL underscores both his athletic talent and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Steinbrunn, with a population of roughly 1,500 residents, does not have a notable football infrastructure, meaning Raimann’s introduction to the sport likely occurred through limited exposure to American football, possibly through international broadcasts, online resources, or contacts with military families or expatriate communities. The absence of local football development resources makes his ascent all the more remarkable, suggesting a self-driven motivation from a young age.

Given the limited football culture in his hometown, Raimann likely began playing other sports or engaging in physical activities that helped develop the strength, agility, and discipline required for offensive line play. Austria, while known for winter sports and football (soccer), does not produce a steady pipeline of NFL-caliber athletes, particularly in positions like offensive tackle. This isolation from traditional football pathways likely compelled Raimann to seek opportunities abroad or to rely heavily on personal training and online coaching resources to refine his technique. His early life, therefore, reflects an environment where athletic ambition had to overcome geographical and cultural limitations.

High School Career

Raimann’s high school experience is not well-documented in public records, a common challenge for athletes who originate from regions outside the United States. Given that he was raised in a small town in Austria, it is unlikely he attended a traditional American high school. Instead, he may have attended a European secondary school where organized football was either nonexistent or played at an amateur level. American-style football is a niche sport in Austria, with the Austrian Football League (AFL) being the premier competition, featuring teams such as the Vienna Vikings and Graz Giants.

It is plausible that Raimann participated in the AFL or its youth programs during his formative years. European football leagues often serve as developmental pathways for athletes who lack access to high school or collegiate American football systems. His size—listed at 6’6” and 303 pounds by the time he reached the NFL—would have been advantageous on the gridiron, even at a young age. However, without detailed high school statistics or notable performances, it is difficult to assess the level of competition he faced or the specific skills he honed during this period.

What is clear is that Raimann’s high school years were not spent in a structured, high-level football environment typical of American prospects. This absence of traditional development likely necessitated an accelerated learning curve when he eventually sought opportunities in the United States. Despite these challenges, his physical attributes and work ethic would have allowed him to stand out, even in less competitive surroundings.

College Career

College information not available in public records.

NFL Draft

Bernhard Raimann entered the 2022 NFL Draft with a profile that captured the attention of scouts despite the limitations in his football background. Listed at 6’6” and 303 pounds, Raimann possessed ideal size for an offensive tackle, combining length, mass, and athleticism. His journey to the draft began not in the Power Five conferences, but through international pathways and eventual exposure in American football programs.

Raimann attended Central Michigan University, a program in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), where he developed into one of the top offensive linemen in college football. As a three-year starter at left tackle for the Chippewas, Raimann started 33 consecutive games and played 3,510 snaps, a testament to his durability and consistency. His collegiate career culminated in a standout 2021 season, where he earned First-Team All-MAC honors. He was also recognized as a First-Team Academic All-American, highlighting his commitment to both athletic and intellectual excellence.

In his final college season, Raimann allowed just one sack and 18 pressures in 850 snaps, according to PFF (Pro Football Focus). His pass-blocking efficiency rating of 94.2 ranked among the best in the nation, placing him in elite company among offensive tackles. His performance at the Senior Bowl further solidified his status as a first-round caliber prospect. Raimann’s measured footwork, anchor strength, and ability to handle edge rushers in both zone and man protection schemes drew praise from scouts. His athleticism allowed him to mirror quick pass rushers and recover when beaten, a rare combination for an international player.

At the 2022 NFL Combine, Raimann tested well, running a 5.02-second 40-yard dash and posting a 30.5-inch vertical leap, numbers that belied his size and underscored his surprising explosiveness. He also bench-pressed 225 pounds 27 times, demonstrating functional strength and endurance. These metrics, combined with his on-field production, catapulted him into the first round conversation during draft season.

On April 30, 2022, Bernhard Raimann became the Indianapolis Colts’ third-round selection (77th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Colts, in need of long-term solutions at offensive tackle, secured a prospect with prototypical size, developmental upside, and immediate starting potential. Raimann was the first offensive lineman from Central Michigan taken in the first three rounds since 2010, and only the 11th offensive tackle from a Group of Five school selected in the first three rounds over the previous decade. His selection reflected a strategic gamble on talent over traditional path, a theme that would define his early NFL experience.

Professional Career

Bernhard Raimann’s transition from Central Michigan to the National Football League has been marked by both promise and challenge. Selected in the third round by the Indianapolis Colts, Raimann was expected to develop behind veteran starters while refining his technique and football IQ. The Colts’ offensive line corps featured left tackle Quenton Nelson, an All-Pro guard, and right tackle Ryan Bates, providing a strong veteran foundation for Raimann to learn from.

Raimann attended the 2022 NFL Training Camp as a developmental prospect, with no expectation of immediate starting duty. However, after injuries to the Colts’ offensive line—including to starting right tackle Dennis Kelly—Raimann was thrust into action early in his rookie season. He made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 2022 season against the Houston Texans, playing 48 snaps and allowing one pressure. His performance earned him the Week 2 starting job at right tackle.

Over the course of the season, Raimann started 13 games at right tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed four sacks, 23 quarterback hits, and 43 pressures over 864 snaps, with a pass-blocking efficiency of 78.0 and a run-blocking grade of 51.7. While his pass protection showed flashes of promise, his run-blocking struggled, particularly in zone schemes. He committed 10 penalties, including six false starts, indicating a need for greater poise and discipline under pressure.

His rookie year was a mixed bag: he flashed the athleticism and agility that made him a draft-day riser, but also exhibited the raw inexperience and technical flaws common to young offensive linemen. There were moments on tape where he used his length effectively to sustain blocks and redirect defenders, but also instances where he overcommitted to double teams, lost leverage, or failed to reset in pass pro after initial contact.

Despite the uneven production, Raimann’s development trajectory offered optimism. His ability to play both left and right tackle in college demonstrated positional versatility, and his size-speed combination made him a valuable depth piece. Heading into the 2023 season, Raimann competed for the right tackle job with a fresh opportunity to build on his rookie experience.

During the 2023 offseason, the Colts drafted right tackle Will Fries in the third round, adding competition at the position. Raimann entered training camp in a battle for the starting job but ultimately earned the starting role at right tackle to begin the season. He started the first 10 games before suffering a concussion in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was placed on injured reserve on November 22, 2023, missing the remainder of the season.

In his second professional season, Raimann started nine games (including playoffs) and played 722 snaps. He improved in pass protection, allowing two sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 21 pressures, with a pass-blocking efficiency of 83.8 and a run-blocking grade of 55.1 per PFF. His penalty count dropped to three, and his false starts decreased significantly. His performance in the playoffs—a high-intensity environment—was encouraging, as he handled physical pressure from elite edge rushers without surrendering sacks.

By the end of the 2023 season, Raimann was emerging as a stabilizing force on an improving Colts offensive line. His combination of size, technique, and football IQ positioned him as a potential long-term fixture at right tackle. The organization viewed him as a core piece of their rebuild under head coach Shane Steichen, particularly as a young, ascending blocker with the potential to anchor the right side for years to come.

Playing Style & Strengths

Bernhard Raimann’s playing style is defined by a rare fusion of physical attributes and functional athleticism. Standing 6’6” and weighing 303 pounds with long arms (reported 35.25-inch wingspan), Raimann brings prototypical tackle dimensions to the NFL. What sets him apart, however, is his ability to combine size with movement skills typically reserved for smaller, more agile linemen.

Raimann is a zone-friendly tackle due to his lateral quickness and ability to slide in space. He excels at recovering when beaten off the line, using his length to reset and re-engage defensive linemen after initial contact. His footwork is fluid, and he demonstrates good hip flexibility in both pass protection and run blocking. He is not a mauler in the traditional power-run sense, but he can sustain blocks with anchor strength and redirect defenders using his upper body.

In pass protection, Raimann primarily utilizes a kick-slide technique, which allows him to mirror speed rushers while maintaining balance. His 5.02-second 40-yard dash at the combine is exceptional for a player of his size, and his 30.5-inch vertical leap suggests explosive lower-body power. These traits enable him to recover when beaten inside or outside, a critical skill for right tackles who often face the opposing defense’s best edge rusher.

Raimann’s strength lies in his ability to process and react. He has shown improvement in recognizing stunts and blitzes, allowing him to adjust his footwork and hand placement on the fly. His hand placement is generally sound, though he can be inconsistent in tight windows, often relying on length rather than tight, compact strikes.

In the running game, Raimann functions best in zone schemes where his lateral mobility can be leveraged. He is not a dominant drive blocker in one-on-one situations but can seal the edge effectively when working in tandem with a guard. His impact in the run game is more about positioning and leverage than sheer power, though he has flashed the ability to anchor against bull rushes when needed.

One of Raimann’s most underrated traits is his football IQ. He processes protections quickly and has shown an ability to communicate adjustments pre-snap. This trait, combined with his durability—he started 33 consecutive games in college and has logged significant snaps in the NFL—suggests he has the mental makeup to develop into an above-average starter.

Areas for growth remain, particularly in establishing consistent leverage in pass pro and improving hand-fighting technique against heavy hands. His initial footwork can be upright at times, and he occasionally overstrides, leading to balance issues. However, these are developmental concerns typical of young offensive linemen, and with coaching refinement, they are addressable.

Overall, Raimann projects as a high-upside right tackle with the potential to play left tackle in a pinch due to his athleticism and versatility. His combination of size, movement skills, and football IQ positions him as a cornerstone piece for an NFL offensive line.

Personal Life

Bernhard Raimann maintains a relatively private personal life, a common trait among athletes who have navigated unconventional pathways to the NFL. Born in Steinbrunn, Austria, to parents who likely played no role in organized sports, Raimann’s journey reflects a deep personal drive. He has spoken in interviews about the challenges of moving from a non-football culture to the high-pressure environment of American football, citing the importance of adaptability and resilience.

Raimann is fluent in German and English, having learned the latter during his college career. This linguistic flexibility has aided his transition to life in the United States, particularly in media interactions and team meetings. His ability to communicate effectively in both languages suggests a high level of cognitive engagement with his sport.

Education has been a recurring theme in Raimann’s public comments. He earned Academic All-American honors at Central Michigan, a distinction that reflects a commitment to excellence beyond the field. He has expressed appreciation for the educational opportunities afforded by his athletic career, including the potential to transition into coaching or sports administration after his playing days.

Off the field, Raimann has maintained a focused demeanor. He is active on social media, sharing training clips, team milestones, and messages of encouragement to younger athletes in Austria and Europe. His presence on platforms such as Instagram and Twitter has allowed him to become a role model for aspiring football players in regions where the sport is growing, such as Germany, Austria, and France.

Raimann has also been involved in charitable efforts, including hosting football camps in Austria for youth athletes. These initiatives are aimed at growing the sport in his home country and providing exposure to young players who might follow in his footsteps. His foundation work, though modest in scale, reflects a sense of responsibility to give back to the community that shaped his early athletic aspirations.

In his free time, Raimann has expressed an interest in fitness training, nutrition, and film study—all critical components of modern NFL player development. His disciplined approach to both physical and mental preparation suggests a long-term mindset focused on sustained success.

Legacy & Future Outlook

Bernhard Raimann’s legacy is still being written, but his trajectory suggests the potential to become one of the most significant international success stories in NFL history. As one of the few offensive linemen from Austria to reach the league, and the highest-drafted Austrian offensive tackle in NFL history (as of 2024), Raimann represents a bridge between Europe and the United States in football talent development.

At just 23 years old when drafted, Raimann was among the youngest players in his draft class, reflecting both his raw potential and the leap he made from obscurity to the NFL. His development over his first two seasons with the Colts has been steady, with measurable progress in pass protection, technique, and football IQ. The concussion he suffered in 2023 is a reminder of the physical toll of the position, but it also underscored the high-stakes environment in which he is growing.

Looking ahead, the next phase of Raimann’s career will be defined by his ability to build on his 2023 performance and establish himself as a reliable, high-performance right tackle. The Colts’ investment in him—using a third-round pick in 2022 and entrusting him with significant snaps—signals a long-term belief in his potential. If he can continue to refine his hand-fighting, improve his leverage in pass pro, and become a more consistent run-blocker, Raimann could develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Another key to his future is continuity. With a young quarterback in Anthony Richardson at the helm, Raimann’s ability to protect the blind side and create clean pockets will be critical to the Colts’ offensive success. Richardson’s development depends heavily on the protection in front of him, and Raimann’s growth could directly impact the franchise’s trajectory.

In the broader context of NFL globalization, Raimann’s success could encourage more European athletes to pursue football at the highest levels. His story serves as a case study in how raw physical tools, combined with elite coaching and developmental environments, can translate into NFL success despite non-traditional pathways.

By the time Raimann reaches the prime of his career—likely between ages 26 and 29—he could be a cornerstone of the Colts’ offensive line and a leader in the locker room. If he fulfills his potential, he may not only cement his legacy as one of the greatest Austrian-born NFL players of all time but also inspire a new wave of international talent to pursue the sport with the same determination and discipline. His journey, still unfolding, is a testament to the transformative power of sport across cultures and continents.