There isn't much Beau Bates can't tackle -- on the football field or in the classroom. The University of Minnesota Duluth senior inside linebacker and second-year team captain has certainly figured in on his fair share of takedowns during his collegiate career, topping the Bulldogs in that department in each of the past two seasons. Through five games this fall, Bates, who collared All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division honors as both a junior and sophomore, has been credited with 40 tackles -- which puts him comfortably in the team lead once again. 

The recipient of a pair of NSIC All-Academic Team citations, Bates also has done as stellar a job hitting the books as he has hitting opposing ball carriers. He maintains a 3.59 cumulative grade point average as an exercise science major with future plans of becoming a chiropractor.

"He's the total package --  a great athlete who intellectually gets the game," said UMD defensive coordinator John Steger. "Beau also has great instincts and that's something you cannot coach. He makes plays that many times leaves you asking yourself, 'Wow, how did he do that?' "

Athletic and academic achievements aside, what perhaps sets the Excelsior, Minn., native apart is that he may well be the only current collegiate football player who is related to a U.S. president/Civil War hero (see below).

HIS FAVORITES
Opponent: Northwest Missouri State
Opponent Field: Maxwell Field (Winona State)    
Road Trip: Arkadelphia, Ark.
Professional Athlete: Luke Kuechly (Carolina Panthers)
Professional Team: Minnesota Vikings
Pastime: Fishing
College Course: Clinical Physiology
Prized Possession: My great aunt's 1997 Buick LeSabre
Book (Author): Series of Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket)
Television Show: Game of Thrones
Actor: Denzel Washington
Actress: Jennifer Aniston
Movie: Saving Private Ryan            
Singer or Group: Chance the Rapper
Food: Steak
Restaurant: China Cafe    
Vacation Spot: Ontario, Canada
Video Game: Super Smash Bros. N64
Mobile App: Twitter
Website: Netflix.com

UP CLOSE
Why I Chose UMD: To win a national championship and it just felt like the right place for me.
First Played Organized Football: 4th grade
Football Strength/Weakness: My knowledge of the game/My open field tackling
Game Day Ritual: I shower, nap, put equipment on in the same order every time.
Most Memorable UMD Football Moment: Our come-from-behind victory over Northwest Missouri State in the 2014 NCAA II playoffs.
Pet Peeve: People who chew loud
Biggest Fear: Quicksand -- because the more you try the more you fail.
My First Job (Age): As a clerk at a dry cleaners (15)
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Kyle Mooney
What Most People Don't Know About Me: Ulysses S. Grant and I are related.
Best Player I've Ever Gone Up Against: (Former St. Cloud State center) Bret Piekarski.
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: I'd be taller.    
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My cell phone    
Sport I'd Like To Try Someday: Competitive volleyball
The Best Thing About College Football: The brotherhood you form with your teammates.
Influences on My Athletic Career: My dad and older brother.              
 Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Stick with it even though it is hard, in the end it's worth it!
What I'll Miss Most About UMD Once My Playing Days Are Over: Not being with my teammates all the time.
Post-UMD Plans: Attend Northwestern Health Sciences University's College of Chiropractic.