FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced the signing of sixth-round draft choice Bo Ruud today. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The team also announced the release of third-year defensive back Willie Andrews.

Ruud, 23, was the 197th player selected in the 2008 NFL draft. The 6-foot-3-inch, 235-pound linebacker was a three-year starter at Nebraska. He started 33 of 46 games and finished his career with 216 total tackles, including 4.5 sacks. Ruud was a two-time, second-team All-Big 12 selection and a four-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll, earning his bachelor's degree in December of 2007. Last year, Ruud started each of the 10 games in which he appeared at strong-side linebacker and finished fifth on the team with 54 tackles.

Ruud was the sixth member of his family to play for the Huskers, a football lineage that began with his great-grandfather in 1918. Along with his brother, Barrett, and his father, Tom, the Ruud's hold the rare distinction of each ranking in the top 30 among Husker defenders for career tackles. Barrett, who now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is the all-time leader with 432 tackles. Bo finished 22nd with 216 stops and their father, Tom, who played five seasons in the NFL, ranks 26th with 202 career tackles.

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Andrews, 24, was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. In two seasons, he totaled one defensive tackle, 23 special teams tackles and returned four kickoffs for 149 yards.