Barrett Ruud

Barrett James Ruud (born May 20, 1983) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft and also played for the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans. He played college football at Nebraska, where he currently serves as the inside linebackers coach.

Early years

Ruud attended high school at Lincoln Southeast High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was a four-year letterman and helped his team compile a 48-2 record and Class A state titles in 1998, 1999, and 2001. He was a two-time All-American by the Omaha World-Herald and earned All-American honors as a linebacker from Prep Star and Student Sport. He also was a two-time super-state pick and was named offensive player of the year, defensive player of the year and prep athlete of the year by the Lincoln Journal Star.

College career

Ruud played college football at the University of Nebraska. He earned numerous honors while there including 2004 Third-Team All American, 2004 First-Team All-Big 12, 2003 Second-Team All-Big 12, and 2002 All-Big 12 honorable mention among others. He finished his career starting 37 of 50 games finishing with a school record 432 career tackles.

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ruud was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he played in all 16 games recording 17 tackles. In 2006, he started 5 of 16 games after injuries to Shelton Quarles and Ryan Nece and finished with 57 tackles.

In 2007 Ruud became a full-time starter after the team cut longtime starter Quarles. He finished the season starting all 15 games he played in, recording 114 tackles and two interceptions. He remained the Buccaneers starter through 2008 and ended the season totaling 137 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.

Tennessee Titans

On July 30, 2011, Ruud signed with the Tennessee Titans. On December 13, 2011, Ruud was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Seattle Seahawks

In April 2012, Ruud signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

New Orleans Saints

On August 20, 2012, Ruud was traded to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a conditional draft pick. On October 8, 2012, Ruud was cut by the Saints after the team went through a 1-4 start.

Houston Texans

On October 10, 2012 Ruud was signed by the Houston Texans, to provide depth at linebacker after the injury to defensive star Brian Cushing.

NFL statistics

Key

• GP: games played
• COMB: combined tackles
• TOTAL: total tackles
• AST: assisted tackles
• SACK: sacks
• FF: forced fumbles
• FR: fumble recoveries
• FR YDS: fumble return yards
• INT: interceptions
• IR YDS: interception return yards
• AVG IR: average interception return
• LNG: longest interception return
• TD: interceptions returned for touchdown
• PD: passes defensed

Personal life

Ruud's father, Tom Ruud, played for the Cornhuskers in the early 1970s and later in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. His younger brother Bo also attended Nebraska.

His mother Jaime Ruud died of a massive heart attack on June 30, 2006 while vacationing with family in northern Minnesota.

Barrett hosts an annual summer football camp at Warner University for children ages 7–18.