Beau Brade, SAF, Maryland
Size:
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 203 pounds
Arm Length: 31”
Hand Size: 10 1/8"
Accomplishments:
Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (2023)
“Beau Brade is a hybrid defender whose activation inside the box as a modern-day defensive chess piece could quickly see him become a high-level playmaker at the NFL level.”
Strengths:
Advanced run defender
Instincts
Closing speed
Physicality
Versatility
Concerns:
Eyes
Inconsistent pursuit angles
Top-end speed
Film Analysis:
Beau Brade is a multi-level defender with physicality that pops off the screen. Comfortable in a variety of coverages and has experience in single-high.
Against the run, Brade showcases a willingness to mix it up unlike any other safety in the class. Hunts for contact and approaches ball-carriers with intelligent violence to avoid whiffs and missed tackles. Can diagnose from depth and beat second-level defenders to the spot. Can, at times, overpurse due to his willingness to attack the alley, but he is rarely out of position (Ohio State). Consistently a part of the pile and isn’t afraid to attack linemen in space, either. Not an overpowering athlete to blow through blocks but has the requisite strength and athleticism to quickly disengage.
In coverage, Brade’s instincts showcase extremely well. Not a ton of work near the line of scrimmage in man, however. Comfortable in single and two-high as well as the robber working at the second level. High-level processor when playing centerfield. Excellent click-and-close ability and hand usage to work through the upper half of pass-catchers. Physicality pops in coverage and thrives inside a phone booth. Despite Brade’s comfortability in battling for space, he rarely will draw a flag and does not grab if caught off balance (three penalties in 1,713 career snaps). His potential as a hybrid second-level defender is through the roof due to his athleticism, tackling ability, and instincts.
Brade’s hips and footwork are smooth but top-end speed/acceleration is lacking to be a true numbers-to-numbers defender. Eyes can also get caught in the backfield on play-action (Ohio State/Michigan).
Overall, Brade is a well-rounded prospect who will impact a defense on all three downs. A future at free safety remains intriguing, but activation inside the box as a modern-day defensive chess piece could quickly see Brade become a high-level playmaker at the NFL level.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Exposures: Ohio State (2023), Michigan State (2023), Michigan (2022)
