Undrafted rookie Beau Brade has written a remarkable hometown hero story, from River Hill High School to the University of Maryland to earning a spot as a safety with the Baltimore Ravens.
Brade, 22, is from Clarksville, Md. A standout at River Hill, he was the 2019 Howard County Defensive Player of the Year. He had the second-most career tackles in Howard County history (450) and broke his school’s record for assisted tackles.
Brade played for Maryland from 2020-2023 under head coach Michael Locksley, who is looking to take the Terps to a fourth straight bowl game this year.
“It’s been an amazing experience with that coaching staff,” Brade said on The Arthur Maulet Show Sept. 10. “I know there’s been a lot of [turnover] the four years I was there, but I know every coach that I had, the assistant coaches I had, helped me a lot [with] my game and helped me be the player I am now.”
Brade was instrumental in shaping Maryland’s football culture and defense, serving as a team captain in 2023 and earning honorable mention All-Big Ten selections in 2022 and 2023.
As a junior in 2022, he led the Terps with 85 tackles and added five pass breakups, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced tumbles. As a senior in 2023, Brade led the way for a second straight season with 75 total tackles. He had a career-high 10 solo tackles against eventual national champion Michigan.
After his final season of college ball, Brade declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. He was expected to be chosen, but he didn’t hear his name called. Multiple teams were reportedly interested in signing him as an undrafted free agent, but he ended up staying local.
Brade made the active roster out of training camp following a productive preseason.
“Me coming here to the Ravens, everything happens for a reason,” Brade said. “Whether that’s how I’m impacted, being on such a great organization, or how I can impact people that are watching me or are around me, I feel fortunate. I feel like everything happens for a reason, so I’m trying to make the most of it.”
The Ravens have a solid track record of finding undrafted talent. Players like Super Bowl champion Jameel McClain serve as an inspiration to Ravens undrafted free agents. No matter where young players come from, they have a purpose with the team.
Still, entering the NFL as an undrafted player is a tough path. Not many succeed going down that road, but Brade is fortunate to have teammate Arthur Maulet by his side to guide him along the way. Maulet began his career as an undrafted rookie for the New Orleans Saints, and since 2017, he has been able to stay in the league and prove his worth.
“I tell a lot of guys, ‘Once you get that UD in front of your name, man, you signed up for the NFL. This is an everyday job now. Seven days a week, you’ve got to work until you retire,'” Maulet said. “If you don’t have that mindset of being an undrafted guy then you’re not going to be in the league for long at all.”
Brade has been able to fit in just fine with his teammates. He understands Baltimore’s culture and what it entails to be part of the organization. He believes sticking it out in College Park has given him a chance to fit in with the Ravens, and he hopes other Terps can follow his path.
“I just hope that the guys that are there now and in the future see who came before them and just keep that work [ethic] and just ball out,” Brade said.
For more from Brade, watch the full conversation here.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox