2024 NFL Draft Player Preview: Ruke Orhorhoro





  • Ruke Orhorhoro, 6-4/295

  • Defensive Tackle

  • Clemson


  • Ruke Orhorhoro 2024 Preview
    By Charlie Campbell

    Career Recap: Clemson has been a steady producer of defensive line talent for the NFL under Dabo Sweeney, and Ruke Orhorhoro could be the program’s next intriguing prospect for the next level. Back in 2021, there were big hopes Bryan Bresee would put together a dominant season, but a torn ACL ended his year early and thrust Orhorhoro onto the field. Orhorhoro took advantage of the developmental time, recording 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks in a respectable debut. In 2022, Bresee was limited again, and Orhorhoro showed a greater capacity to be a disruptor as he totaled 23 tackles, five passes batted, eight tackles for a loss and four sacks.

    Orhorhoro is from Nigeria and came to the United States of America when he was nine years old. He only played two seasons of high school football in Michigan before joining Clemson,.



    2023 Season Outlook: Orhorhoro will see some good competition in 2023 including Florida State in Week 4. The best guard he might face in 2023 could be Miami’s Javion Cohen on Oct. 21st. To close out the season, Orhorhoro will take on some quality offensive lines when Tigers tilt against Notre Dame on Nov. 4, North Carolina on Nov. 18 and South Carolina on Nov. 25.

    Skill-Set Summary: The NFL is always looking for defensive tackles who can cause havoc and contribute to the pass rush. Orhorhoro got a late start in football, but he has flashed real talent and the physical ability to be a disruptor behind the line of scrimmage. If Orhorhoro can grow more polished and consistent, he could be a real presence on the defensive line.

    In the pass rush, Orhorhoro does a nice job of achieving angles on guards to penetrate upfield. Orhorhoro has a burst off the ball and quickness to close when he gets free. While Orhorhoro has a thick build, he is not stiff and possesses sufficient hip movement to not be a straight-line player. Orhorhoro has some power in his bull rush and can generate push to f9rce his offensive linemen into retreating backward in the pocket. It would help Orhorhoro to show more pass-rushing moves in 2023.

    For the ground game, Orhorhoro has the size and strength to hold his ground against downhill runs coming straight at him. Orhorhoro also can disrupt and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He will use his quickness to shoot his gap and create havoc in the backfield. In 2023, Orhorhoro needs to play up to his skill set more consistently and generate more tackles as a run defender.



    Inconsistency is the bigget issue with Orhorhoro. He has to be more reliable and productive on a down-by-down basis. There is no doubt that he possesses upside for development. Orhorhoro has the athletic ability, size, quickness and strength to be a potential starter in the NFL. It will be interesting to see if plays up to his physical talent in 2023.



    2024 NFL Draft Expectations: Orhorhoro currently looks like he could potentially grade out in the top half of the 2024 NFL Draft.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2024 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


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