The Nebraska Cornhuskers are experiencing a proud and emotional moment as they welcome back one of their most celebrated football legends—Barrett Ruud. Returning to his alma mater as the Director of Player Development, Ruud’s appointment is being met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans, alumni, and the wider Nebraska community.
Ruud began his football journey at Nebraska in 2001 and quickly became a defensive powerhouse. Over his four-year collegiate career, he set the school record for most career tackles, racking up an incredible 432 total—90 more than any other player in Cornhuskers history. His performance earned him national recognition, including Third-Team All-American honors in 2004 and a First-Team All-Big 12 selection. A consistent leader on defense, Ruud started 37 out of 50 games and became a cornerstone of Nebraska’s defense during his college years.
After graduating, Ruud was selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His professional career spanned eight seasons, during which he tallied 658 total tackles, six sacks, seven interceptions, and six forced fumbles. He played primarily with the Buccaneers but also had stints with the Titans, Saints, and Texans, proving to be a reliable and intelligent linebacker at the highest level of football.
Following his NFL career, Ruud transitioned into coaching and football development. He started at Nebraska as a defensive intern in 2014 and later joined the staff at UCF, where he played a role in the Knights’ historic undefeated 13-0 season in 2017. Ruud returned to Nebraska in 2018 as the inside linebackers coach and served in that role until 2022. Under his leadership, players like Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich emerged as defensive standouts.
With his return as Director of Player Development, the Husker faithful are thrilled to see a familiar face back in Lincoln. Fans believe Ruud’s deep ties to the program and his wealth of football knowledge make him the perfect mentor for developing the next generation of Cornhuskers. His homecoming isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a commitment to upholding Nebraska’s proud football tradition and building a strong foundation for the future.
