Few young football players get to live out their NFL dreams. Even fewer get to fulfill that prophecy on the team they grew up rooting for.
Former River Hill and Maryland standout safety Beau Brade is vying to become the latest to join that group. As training camp nears its end and final cuts next Tuesday looming, Brade is fighting for his spot on the Ravens’ initial 53-man roster.
One of five safeties on the 90-man roster, he grew up a Ravens fan, adopting many of his hard-hitting tendencies from Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis.
Brade is looking to become the third River Hill graduate to play in the NFL, following in the footsteps of wide receiver Michael Campanaro and cornerback Kevin Johnson. Campanaro, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft, appeared in 24 games for the Ravens from 2014 to 2017, while Johnson was a first-round draft pick in 2015 and played in 64 games for the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns from 2015 to 2020.
Brade, who like Johnson was a Howard County Times Defensive Player of the Year as a high school senior, faces longer odds as an undrafted free agent.
Through two preseason games, the safety is third on the team with 11 total tackles (seven solo) and a forced fumble. He finished with a team-high eight tackles in Saturday’s 13-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
“It’s been better than I could’ve expected. Growing up, this is the team I wanted to play for,” Brade told The Baltimore Sun on Monday. “My time here, of course, it’s been a dream. But it wasn’t a dream to really get here, it’s a dream to stay here and get to Super Bowls. I’ve been doing all I can to make this team and become the best player that I can be. Not just for myself but for the team, whatever they need.”
Brade’s NFL journey didn’t start as he had hoped. After leading the Terps in tackles each of the past two seasons, the Clarksville native did not hear his name called in April’s draft and then missed much of the spring with an ankle injury that he suffered in the first practice. Yet, he persevered, leaning on support from family — his father, Ron, played college football at Virginia Tech — and the team. Those challenges developed a chip on his shoulder. They also proved humbling and reinforced playing with a purpose, never knowing when it could be his last snap.
“He has dealt with a few injuries. Quiet until we got him in the rookie skit. Then he wasn’t quiet anymore; he was funny. That was fun to see his personality even more,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “He’s stepped up. He’s covered well, but he’s also made some hits. That’s what I’ve enjoyed seeing on both defense and special teams.”
While Brade has brought thunderous hits, he’s also showcased his personality. In the group rookie sketch, Brade and others reenacted and shared some jokes about Marlon Humphrey’s podcast “The Punchline Pod.” One of the guys portrayed Roquan Smith with help from special guests veteran defensive lineman Brent Urban and outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith.
Brade’s humorous side is a stark contrast to his personality in practice and on gamedays. The rookie prides himself on practicing how he would play in a game. Yet, suiting up on gameday for his favorite childhood team requires a delicate balance.
He described running out of the tunnel before the preseason opener at M&T Bank Stadium against the Eagles on Aug. 9 as a “great feeling that hadn’t really sunk in yet.” Brade recognizes the magnitude of the accomplishment and the people who helped him get there. However, he doesn’t bask in its significance and treats it as any other game.
That level-headed and hard-working mindset is ingrained in Brade’s DNA. He learned its value at a young age from his father and has built on it ever since. Brade vividly remembers watching Bud Foster’s hard-nosed Virginia Tech defenses as a kid and adopted that personality in his game.
“Beau Brade has been great. He’s a locked-in young guy,” Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said on Wednesday. “I love to see that as an undrafted free agent. We knew he was talented coming from Maryland, and all he’s done is come in and work. I know he had the injury in the spring, but ever since he’s been back, he’s continued to get better and better and better. I’m really excited about him.”
Brade blended that edge with a consistent thirst for knowledge to acclimate to the NFL. He is learning from his coaches and the veterans in the defensive back room, specifically defensive backs Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams and Humphrey.
“The other day, Marcus Williams helped me with some middle of the field stuff, just to make sure I’m ready when the game comes around,” Brade said. “It’s the little things that really matter. So, even if I think I did it right or it looked like it was almost right, I can ask them to give me a little bit more information and that will make the biggest difference in the world. Those guys are All-Pros and Pro Bowlers, big-time players. I love to learn from them. I’m humble and I’ll take advice from anybody.”
Still, Brade faces an uphill battle to make the roster. He’ll likely need to stand out on special teams to earn his spot considering the prowess of the Ravens’ defensive backfield. In Monday’s practice, Brade rotated in multiple roles on the punt team, including as the upback.
That versatility will be tested this week as the Ravens travel to Green Bay for a joint practice Thursday with the Packers before Saturday’s preseason finale at Lambeau Field. As training camp nears its end, Brade’s mindset remains the same: leave everything out on the field.
“I just hope to do everything in my control and my power to make the team,” Brade said. “Going out every rep, trying my hardest and playing all the way through the whistle and getting as close to the ball as I can every rep. If I do that, I can’t have any regrets whether I make the team or not and I’ll be happy with that.”
Preseason finale
Ravens at Packers
Saturday, 1 p.m.
TV: NBC
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM