| 2006: Ruud was a key member of an impressive front seven that helped Nebraska rank among the Big 12 leaders in scoring defense and rushing defense. Ruud tied for fourth on the team with 65 tackles and was seventh on the team with seven tackles for loss. Ruud had two sacks and was one of only two Huskers with at least two interceptions. His three forced fumbles led the team, and he also recovered a pair of fumbles.
2005: Ruud began the year as the backup to Steve Octavien at WILL linebacker, but that changed in the season opener when Octavien was lost for the year with a broken leg. Ruud quickly made the adjustment to the limelight, finishing the Maine contest with five tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the NU win. His performance earned him Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors. He went on to start the final 10 games of the regular season before suffering a broken arm during pre-Alamo Bowl practice in December. Ruud finished the year with 80 total tackles to rank third on the team and was tied for third on the squad with 14 tackles for loss totaling 44 yards. He also led the team with two fumble recoveries, including a 46-yard fumble return against Texas Tech. He added 10 quarterback hurries and six pass breakups. Ruud’s breakout performance earned him honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press. Ruud had at least five tackles in 10 of 11 games , including a pair of double-figure tackle efforts. He made eight tackles in Nebraska’s 31-3 win over Wake Forest, then had nine stops in the Huskers’ double-overtime victory over Iowa State in Lincoln.
2004: Ruud played in all 11 games and finished with 17 total tackles, including 12 solo stops, and added two quarterback pressures against Baylor. Ruud had three games with a season-high three tackles, including the season opener against Western Illinois, along with games vs. Texas Tech and Baylor.
2003: Ruud suited up for several games, but ultimately redshirted in his first year.
High School: Ruud was a standout at Lincoln Southeast, and was Nebraska's earliest ever commitment, pledging his intention in June of 2001, 20 months before 2003 signing day. He had a standout prep career, helping the Knights to two Class A state titles. He was a two-way star, playing running back and linebacker. Ruud rushed for 1,385 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught four passes for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Ruud scored four touchdowns in a state semifinal win over Kearney and scored the Knights’ only touchdown in a 7-6 title game victory over Millard North. He had 70 total tackles, including 51 solo stops, as a senior. Ruud was named the honorary captain of the Lincoln Journal Star’s Super-State team and was a first-team pick as a running back. The Omaha World-Herald named him to its All-Nebraska team as a linebacker and made him the honorary captain on the defense. Ruud made 49 tackles as a junior, and rushed for nearly 450 yards and scored six touchdowns. Ruud also starred on Southeast’s basketball team, which finished as the 2003 Class A state runner-up. He was a two-time honorable-mention all-state pick and earned academic all-state honors, and was a National Honor Society member.
Personal: Bo is the son of Tom Ruud and the late Jaime Ruud and was born on Sept. 2, 1984. A business administration major, Ruud is a fou |
