Justin Beriault was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the 6th round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Beriault started 45 of the 46 games he played in at Ball State. He is one of just a handful of players in the history of college football to register at least 100 tackles in each season played.

Beriault earned three letters in football, three in basketball and one in baseball at Warren Central High (Indianapolis, Ind.). The all-state and two-time The Indianapolis Star Marion County Player of the Year and two-time Warren Central Most Valuable Player had 102 tackles (91 solo), four interceptions and one fumble recovery as a senior. He tallied 242 tackles (213 solo), seven interceptions and four fumble recoveries in his career. He also had 21 catches for 468 yards with five touchdowns as a senior (35 catches for 710 yards and seven scores in his career).

Beriault redshirted in 2000 at Ball State, then started every game in 2001. He led the team with 117 tackles (77 solo) that year, adding two stops for losses, three pass deflections and an interception. He earned a spot on the Football Writers Association and The Sporting News' Freshman All-America squads.

In 2002, Beriault ranked second on the team with 121 tackles (55 solo), including six stops behind the line of scrimmage, an interception and two passes defensed. He outdid those figures as a junior, recording a career-high 145 tackles (71 solo) with six stops for losses, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception and six pass deflections to earn All-Mid-American Conference first-team accolades in 2003.

Beriault ranked 10th in the nation with 125 tackles (64 solo) in 2004, again picking up All-MAC first-team recognition. He added five stops behind the line of scrimmage, an interception and a fumble recovery.

The two-time winner of the team's Mark Hays Inspirational Award, Beriault closed out his career with 508 tackles (267 solo), 19 stops for losses of 63 yards, four interceptions for 24 yards in returns, 12 pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked field goal.