Barrett Ruud

Barrett Ruud

Barrett Ruud in 2006.
Atlanta Falcons
Position:	Inside linebackers coach
Personal information
Born:	(1983-05-20) May 20, 1983 Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lincoln (NE) Southeast
College:	Nebraska (2001–2004)
NFL draft:	2005 / Round: 2 / Pick: 36
Career history
As a player:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005–2010) Tennessee Titans (2011) Seattle Seahawks (2012)* New Orleans Saints (2012) Houston Texans (2012)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Nebraska (2018–2022) Inside linebackers coach Atlanta Falcons (2024–present) Inside linebackers coach
As an administrator:
UCF (2016–2017) Quality control administrator
Career highlights and awards
Third-team All-American (2004)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 657 Sacks: 6.0 Forced fumbles: 7 Fumble recoveries: 5 Interceptions: 7
Player stats at NFL.com

Barrett James Ruud (born May 20, 1983) is an American football coach who serves as inside linebackers coach for the Atlanta Falcons 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 was the inside linebackers coach from 2018-2022.

Early years

Ruud attended high school at Lincoln Southeast High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was a four-year letterman and a two-time all-state honorable mention selection in basketball. He 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. Ruud also played halfback and set school career records with 2,988 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns. 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 becoming a third-generation Husker football player in the process. 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

Year	Team	GP	Tackles				Fumbles		Interceptions
			Comb	Solo	Ast	Sack	FF	FR	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	PD
2005	TB	16	17	15	2	0.0	0	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
2006	TB	16	57	37	20	0.0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
2007	TB	15	114	83	31	0.0	3	3	2	7	3.5	5	0	3
2008	TB	16	137	102	35	3.0	0	1	2	10	5.0	10	0	6
2009	TB	16	142	107	35	0.0	1	0	1	23	23.0	21	0	7
2010	TB	16	118	85	33	2.0	2	0	1	1	1.0	1	0	4
2011	TEN	9	57	40	17	0.0	0	0	1	4	4.0	4	0	3
2012	HOU	9	16	12	4	1.0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	2
Career		113	658	481	177	6.0	6	5	7	45	6.4	21	0	25

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.

External links

• Nebraska profile
• Seattle Seahawks profile