Ruke

Orhorhoro

He’ll play in tonight’s game against the Raiders. The rookie second-round pick has only been a rotational defensive lineman thus far for the Falcons. He has a 53.4 PFF grade in 63 snaps, mostly as a pass rusher.

Orhorhoro debuted in Week 5, playing in a rotational capacity for the Falcons’ subpar defensive front. This is beginning to look like a lost season for the second-round rookie. Hopefully, Orhorhoro can make a come back at some point later this year.

Atlanta gave up picks 43 and 79. They gained a sixth-round pick on top of No. 35. An immigrant from Nigeria at age 8, Orhorhoro was a standout basketball player who didn’t start playing football until his junior season in high school. Despite being relatively inexperienced, he played in nine games as a freshman in 2019 before an injury sapped most of the pandemic-shortened season. An early-season injury to Bryan Bresee thrust Orhorhoro into a starting role in 2021 where he would stay for the next three years accumulating 47 stops and 24.0 tackles for loss in that span. He only needed 2.66s per snap to create his 27 pressures last year, which along with his 2.3% sack rate led all Clemson defensive linemen. Orhorhoro owned the Combine, performing every test on the board while excelling at each and every one. He flashed elite acceleration with a 1.67s 10-yard split (96th%) and 4.89s 40 (94th%), while also recording 89th% agility scores and the second-most bench reps (29) from the DL group. Throw in a 97th percentile 9’08” broad jump with 34” arms, and Orhorhoro performed a near perfect 9.92 Relative Athletic Score. While Orhorhoro’s frenetic, tenacious approach is tough for OLs to deal with, he will misdiagnose plays at times and needs to fine tune his overall rush plan and technique in order to reach his lofty athletic potential in the NFL. His toolsy physical profile suggests a ceiling of Robert Nkemdiche.

Orhorhoro (6'4/285) is a former three-star recruit who played in 10 games last season recording five tackles and 1.5 TFL in a reserve role as a true freshman. He suffered a meniscus injury this Saturday against Wake Forest and when the surgeon opened up his knee it was clear that he had a tear that required surgical repair. It’s a terrible break for Orhorhoro who as a true freshman managed to play in 10 games and vaulted the depth chart in fall camp to be listed as starting DL Tyler Davis’ primary backup. He is hoping to return in December and could conceivably be back for the CFB Playoff should Clemson make it that far.

Orhorhoro (6'4/285) has appeared in four games this season, which is the most that a player can play in and still redshirt in order to retain the year of eligibility. Swinney said on Tuesday that the freshman will continue to play, removing the possibility of a redshirt while giving the Tigers additional depth on the defensive line. Orhorhoro has played a total of 35 snaps this season.

Orhoro had announced his final four as Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Clemson near the end of May, but it’s Clemson who would get the signature at this point. He ranks 55th among edge-rushers in the class to 247 Sports, but Orhorhoro was coming on strong with recruiting sites over the past few weeks, and likely will be upgraded to a four-star prospect at some point. The 6-foot-5, 263-pound defender will help Clemson replace the litany of defenders who will be headed to the NFL in 2019, and with the size to be able to possibly play early.

Orhorhoro (6'5/263) is drawn to the four programs in question because their depth charts look palatable for early playing time next year. He figures to have a fair bit of competition at either Michigan or Clemson, but his general logic is sound. Kentucky and Indiana will both receive official visits from Orhorhoro in June. He cited late June or early July as his probable commitment window. Of note, the defensive end has yet to even visit Clemson and does not sound like he will be doing so before he makes his pledge, while Michigan is unlikely for an official visit. Reading between the tea leaves, the Hoosiers and Wildcats look to be in a good spot with Orhorhoro.