On The Hill: Expected to see time at defensive back in 2009...2008: Played in 11 games, starting 10 of those games...Posted 41 tackles, including one sack for a 10-yard loss...Recorded a team-high three interceptions, to go along with three passes defensed...Collected five tackles in his first career start in a win over Eastern Kentucky...Recorded four tackles and intercepted a pass in a home win over Murray State...Had six tackles in a road contest against Kentucky...Intercepted his second career pass, to go along with five tackles against #25 Ball State...Posted four tackles in a home contest against Florida Atlantic...Recorded his first career sack and collected three pass break-ups against North Texas...Intercepted his third pass of the season against Troy...Recorded four tackles in the home finale against Middle Tennessee...2007: Redshirted.

HS/Misc: A four-year letterwinner at Bowling Green HS, where his efforts helped the Purples advance to the state 3A championship contest in each of his last two years ... BGHS had a 48-6 (88.9%) record during his career ... Led the team with eight total tackles including one for loss, and added an interception in the Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star Game ... Named first-team all-state his senior season after posting 54 tackles (38 unassisted), three interceptions and a fumble recovery ... Was also the Purples’ leading receiver with 33 catches for 575 yards and five touchdowns ... A two-time all-SKY Conference selection ... Also earned all-state honors his junior year ... A three-year starter in baseball, where he helped lead the Purples to the semi-state round of the state tournament in 2007 ... A cousin of former WKU all-Gateway Football Conference defensive lineman Patrick Reynolds and his younger brother Robert, who played at Ohio State and in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans.

The Beard File: Full Name — Ryan Douglas Beard;  Parents — Doug and Cathy Beard (father, road contractor;  mother, marketing consultant);  Birth — June 3, 1989, Bowling Green, Ky.;  HS — Bowling Green ’07;  HS Coach — Kevin Wallace (WKU);  HS Letters — football 4, baseball 3;  Major — biology;  Ambition — have a successful business;  Hobbies — fishing, camping, hunting.