Ron Brace Ronald " Ron " Jeffery Brace III ( born December 18 , 1986 ) is an American football nose tackle for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft as a defensive end . He played college football at Boston College . Early years . Brace attended Burncoat Senior High School in Worcester , Massachusetts . As a senior , Brace earned All - State and Worcester Telegram & Gazette all - star honors . He was also a three - time conference all - star choice and played in the 2004 Massachusetts Shriners Football Classic . He was the team captain and team MVP in 2003 and also excelled in track and field , winning the state shot put title in 2003 and 2004 . College career . After redshirting the 2004 season , Brace made his college debut for Boston College in the 2005 season opener at BYU . He finished the season with 11 tackles ( six solos ) and one tackle for loss in 12 games ( one start ) . He had one solo tackle against Boise State in the MPC Computers Bowl . Brace played and started in 11 games at defensive tackle in 2006 . He had 20 tackles ( 11 unassisted ) and registered 3 . 5 tackles for loss . He made a career - high five tackles ( three solo ) , including 1 for a loss , and recovered one fumble in BC ' s Meineke Car Care Bowl victory versus Navy . Brace finished the 2007 season with 27 total tackles ( 14 solos ) , 7 . 5 tackles for loss , and 2 . 5 sacks He registered three tackles ( one solo ) and 0 . 5 tackles for loss in the ACC Championship Game against Virginia Tech and two tackles in the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl against Michigan State . He was an All - ACC team honorable mention . Brace began his 2008 senior season on the Outland Trophy and All - ACC team watch lists . He played in all 14 games in 2008 , recording 27 tackles and three sacks while paired with defensive tackle B . J . Raji , a first round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft . After the season he was named to the second - team All - ACC . He is member of the Iota Phi Theta fraternity . Professional career . New England Patriots . 2009 season . Brace was drafted by the Patriots in the second round ( 40th overall ) of the 2009 NFL Draft . On July 17 , 2009 , he was signed to a 4 - year contract with approximately $ 2 . 82 million in guaranteed money . Brace was active for six of the first 13 games of the season , recording two tackles . Brace started his first NFL game on December 20 , 2009 against the Buffalo Bills in place of an injured Vince Wilfork and Pryor at nose tackle . He started again for the Patriots in Week 16 and finished the season with eight tackles in nine games played ( two starts ) . Brace was inactive for the Patriots ' playoff loss against the Baltimore Ravens . 2010 season . Prior to the 2010 , Brace was moved to defensive end , and missed most of training camp after failing his conditioning test . However , he returned and started the first three games of the regular season , including a four - tackle game in Week 2 against the New York Jets . Brace soon lost his starting job to rookie Brandon Deaderick , and was inactive for the team ' s Week 7 win over the San Diego Chargers . Brace was active again in Week 8 , and returned to the starting lineup two weeks later against the Pittsburgh Steelers . He was a reserve the next week against the Indianapolis Colts , but tied his season - high of four tackles in the game . Three weeks later , he started the Patriots ' Week 13 game in Chicago , but sustained a concussion that kept him out of their Week 15 game against the Green Bay Packers . After playing in Week 16 , Brace missed the team ' s regular season finale with an elbow injury . Brace was placed on injured reserve on January 3 , 2011 , prior to the playoffs . He finished the regular season with 23 tackles in 13 games played ( five starts ) . 2011 season . Brace started the season on the " PUP " list and returned to practice after week six . 2012 season . On December 29 , 2012 Brace was released . Washington Redskins . Brace signed with the Washington Redskins on February 14 , 2013 .