With the 2024 NFL Draft quickly approaching, prospects have done everything possible to get ready for this moment as they wait for their name to be called.
One of these hopefuls expecting to hear their name called is former University of Maryland safety Beau Brade, who is more than ready to show the NFL the hard-working and hard-hitting player he knows he can continue to be.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Clarksville, Md., native posted 177 tackles (115 solo) and three interceptions in 41 career games with the Terps. He may not be the highest-rated safety in the 2024 draft, but Brade warns those overlooking him to do it at their own peril. Brade believes he can thrive as the underdog.
“I love it. If you underestimate me, then perfect because I’m going to prove you wrong every time. That’s how my mind works,” Brade said on Glenn Clark Radio April 11. “So, I’m cool with it. I’ve always had to prove myself and I’m going to work my butt off no matter what until I’ve proved, not just to everyone else, but to myself that I’m the best I can be.”
While Brade wants to continue to be a dominant enforcer on the field, he realizes that he must work to find new ways to impose his will without hurting his team. Recent rules changes have made it more difficult for a defender to be a hard hitter without penalizing his team.
Brade was inspired to play a hard-hitting, playmaking style by watching Ravens legends like Ray Lewis play with their own level of intensity. Brade also credits those closer to home for instilling a professional work ethic.
“My work ethic came from both my parents … but also growing up watching Ed Reed and Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs and those guys, I feel like that definitely plays a role in that, too,” Brade said. “Growing up, I used to just watch Ray Lewis, watch the YouTube videos of hits, his motivational videos, his card trick with the push-ups. I feel like that’s really where I got a lot of my hitting from. When I see him do it, I was like, ‘Wow, I want to do that.’ … I didn’t play safety until I was in high school and then I was like, ‘OK, yeah, let me check out more Ed Reed highlights, trying to get like that.”
Some comparisons can be drawn between Brade and Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton. Brade believes Hamilton has set himself apart from others at the position, but he is confident that he might be able to emulate some of Hamilton’s abilities at the position.
Becoming a modern, dominant player like Hamilton who can play at all levels of the defense is one of Brade’s biggest goals in the NFL.
“I think there’s no thought in my mind that thinks I can’t do that or I can’t be that, and that just comes with the work. I feel like the work I’ve put in will allow me to play at that type of level.” Brade said. “… [Hamilton is] a playmaker. That’s just him. I love to see it. Coming into Maryland and my first couple of years, I was that hard hitter. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been trying instead of being a big hitter, I want to be a big playmaker, whether that’s forcing turnovers through an interception or a punch-out fumble. Those are plays that switch games, those are plays that allow you to win games and to make championships. So, that’s what I practice and that’s what I love to do.”
Looking back on his tenure at Maryland, Brade is very proud that he got to be a part of a group that helped take the program out of a turbulent time. That is one of the many reasons Brade chose to play with Maryland in the 2023 Music City Bowl against Auburn rather than opting out.
Brade helped the Terps win a bowl game for the third consecutive year for the first time in program history.
“When I look back at Maryland, the No. 1 thing that I’m going to keep thinking about — my time with my teammates and that sort of thing,” Brade said. “I felt like I was part of a class that really built that foundation that Maryland is going to have in the future with those three bowl game wins. I just make sure that every time I get out there and play, I play for them. So, I didn’t want to opt out.”
Even as Brade looks ahead he still can’t help but be excited for the future of the program. He is looking forward to head coach Michael Locksley and his former Maryland teammates building off of this foundation.
“I’m really excited to see what they do next season in this new Big Ten Conference with all the different teams they play, going to even the West Coast for some games. It’s going to mean a lot,” Brade said. “… I can’t wait to see what the Terps do in the future and how Locksley continues to build.”
Brade is ready to build off his own success as well. While those who underestimate him fire him up, Brade is more than ready to prove his doubters wrong. Like most of his legendary inspirations, Brade is ready to show what kind of player he is and leave an impression on the NFL for years to come.
“At the end of the day, I know what I can do. At this point, no matter where I do get drafted, I’m going to ball out wherever I go,” Brade said. “Maybe it’s just going to give me a little more edge if I see a couple more names go before I come, but I’m happy with where I’m at and I can’t wait.”
For more from Brade, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox