Loud played quarterback and running back for three years at Salesian High, before ultimately graduating from El Cerrito High following his senior year, when he was recruited to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo by coach Andre Patterson.
[3] Loud was selected as the Cal Poly Men's Athlete of the Year in May 1998 after setting school receiving records for career catches (170), yards (3,144) and touchdowns (26).
[4] He was a charter member of the university's first four seasons (1994-97) as an NCAA Division I-AA program, and as a senior helped lead the team to a 10-1 record and top-20 national ranking.
[5] The Buffalo Bills selected Loud in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL draft.
[6][7] As a rookie, Loud caught a 12-yard pass from Doug Flutie in Buffalo's 24-17 loss at Miami in the wild card round of the AFC playoffs.