#197: Bo Ruud, LB, Nebraska

Linebacker Bo Ruud finished an outstanding Nebraska career during the 2007 season, his third consecutive year as a starter. Ruud developed a knack for being around the football throughout his career and by the end of 2007 he joined his older brother, Barrett, and father, Tom, among the top 30 tacklers in Nebraska school history.

Ruud’s 216 career tackles rank 22nd on the Nebraska career chart, and he had 10 games with eight or more tackles. He finished with six career fumbles caused, four fumble recoveries and five interceptions. He returned three of his five interceptions for touchdowns, including two memorable touchdowns in back-to-back weeks in 2007.

A four-year letterman, Ruud lined up as the WILL linebacker for his first three years, before switching to the SAM spot as a senior. He played in and started 10 games, missing the Texas and Kansas games because of injury. He finished the year tied for fifth on the team with 54 tackles, including 28 solo stops. He also added four tackles for loss and caused a pair of fumbles.

Ruud had a tackle for loss in each of NU’s first three games, then made six tackles, and returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown to ignite the comeback win over Ball State. A week later, Ruud made 14 tackles in the win over Iowa State and gave Nebraska a comfortable lead with a 93-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter. The return was the third-longest in school history and the longest ever by a Husker linebacker.

The Lincoln native suffered a knee injury early in the game against Texas A&M, which also forced him to the sideline for the next two games. He returned for the season’s final two games and capped his career with eight tackles at Colorado. Despite missing most of three games, Ruud was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 choice.

Ruud was also the recipient of Nebraska's Guy Chamberlin Trophy at the conclusion of the season, which is presented to the Husker senior who has shown by the play and contributions to the betterment of the University of Nebraska football squad that he has the qualities and dedication of Guy Chamberlin to the Cornhusker tradition. Bo's older brother, Barrett, also won the team award in 2004, while their uncle, Bob Martin, claimed the honor in 1975.

Ruud started 13 games at WILL linebacker in 2006, and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors from the league coaches. He tied for fourth on the team with 65 tackles and made seven tackles for loss helping Nebraska rank among the Big 12 leaders in scoring defense and rushing defense. Ruud also had two sacks, two interceptions, a team-high three forced fumbles and also recovered a pair of fumbles.

Ruud stepped into a starting role in week two of his sophomore season and went on to earn honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors. He made 80 tackles and tied for third on the team with 14 tackles for loss.

A business administration major, Ruud was a two-time second-team academic All-Big 12 selection and a four-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. He was one of 20 Huskers to graduate in December of 2007.

From Huskers.com