CLEMSON — Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro kept a hat from the Atlanta Falcons in his car after meeting with the organization at the NFL scouting combine.
“I got it on my head right now,” Orhorhoro told local media on April 26 as he shared his initial thoughts on being taken by the Falcons in the NFL Draft. “I’m glad I kept it.”
Orhorhoro wasn’t just taken by Atlanta in the second round. The Falcons were willing to trade up to the No. 35 selection, sending the 43rd and 79th picks to the Cardinals, to assure they could have the Clemson product.
He became Clemson’s second defender drafted, following cornerback Nate Wiggins, who went 30th overall to the Baltimore Ravens.
“It means a lot,” Orhorhoro said of the Falcons’ trade up. “It means they really wanted me, and they really saw something in me, man. I can’t let them down. I’ll do everything in my willpower to not let them down.”
Orhorhoro heads to a Clemson-heavy organization, which already has cornerback A.J. Terrell and lineman Grady Jarrett on the defensive side of the ball. Atlanta also acquired receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III as a free agent this offseason, and punter Bradley Pinion joined the franchise in 2022.
“That’s a place with guys I can learn from. Grady Jarrett, one of the Clemson all-time greats,” Orhorhoro said. “It’s just an honor to learn from a guy that’s been in the league that long. I can’t wait, man.
“If I could do it today, I’d do it right now.”
Despite being a fifth-year senior, Orhorhoro is considered an upside play because of his athleticism and versatility up front. The native of Lagos, Nigeria, ran his 40-yard dash at 4.89 seconds, which is exceptional for a 6-foot-4, 295-pound lineman. He also banged out 29 reps on the 225-pound bench press.
In his last three seasons at Clemson, Orhorhoro posted eight tackles for loss in each campaign, but there is reason to believe he will only get better. Spending the formative years of his childhood in Detroit, Mich., Orhorhoro only played basketball in high school until he picked up football as a junior.
“The thing that everybody likes about Ruke is that he’s not quite a blank canvas but he still very much has his best football in front of him,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said in a statement.
With Wiggins and Orhorhoro’s selections, this is the fifth time in the last six years that Clemson’s first two prospects off the board are defenders. Defensive line, in particular, has been a strength for the program.
Last year, defensive end Myles Murphy and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee were selected with back-to-back picks toward the end of the first round.
In a press release statement, Clemson defensive line coach Nick Eason said Orhorhoro “can dominate any industry, any market, against any competition, at any time. He is a true warrior.”
“Fast, physical, and aggressive,” Orhorhoro said, describing his play style. “I’m a guy who like to put my nose into stuff. I’ll run through a dark alley with you, and I’m a guy that’s gonna give you effort every single play.”
Orhorhoro was Clemson’s only draftee on Day 2. Running back Will Shipley, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., defensive end Xavier Thomas, and defensive tackle Tyler Davis are all Day 3 prospects.
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