.jpg) Orakpo in 2022 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1986-07-31)July 31, 1986 (age 39) Houston, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 257 lb (117 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Lamar (Houston, Texas) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Texas (2004–2008) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2009: 1st round, 13th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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Brian Ndubisi Orakpo// ⓘ (born July 31, 1986) is an American former professionalfootball player who was alinebacker for 10 seasons in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theUniversity of Texas, was recognized as aunanimous All-American, and was selected by theWashington Redskins with the thirteenth overall pick in the2009 NFL draft. He also played forTennessee Titans, and was selected to fourPro Bowls.
Orakpo was born on July 31, 1986, inHouston, Texas to parents Gloria and Arthur Orakpo, who areimmigrants from Nigeria.[1] He has two younger siblings, Jennifer and Michael.[2] Orakpo playedhigh school football atLamar High School in Houston, Texas.[3] He playeddefensive end andtight end and was a two-time First-team all-district selection for the Texans football team. In addition, he playedbasketball from his freshman to junior years.[1]
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Orakpo attended theUniversity of Texas, where he played for coachMack Brown'sTexas Longhorns football team from 2004 to 2008.[4] He wasredshirted as a freshman in 2004, but in 2005 he played in all 13 games and started in one. He made an immediate impact for the Longhorns, helping them finish 10th in the nation at defense, recording 27tackles, a halfsack, a forcedfumble and recovered fumble. His play earned him Defensive Freshman of the Year and first-team Freshman All-America byThe Sporting News.[citation needed] He helped the Longhorns obtain their fourthNational Championship.[5]
As a sophomore in 2006, he played all 13 games, recording 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks and was named one of theLowe's Most Improved Defensive Players.[6] As a junior in 2007, he played in nine games and missed four due to rightknee injury suffered againstArkansas State. He was the Defensive MVP of the2007 Holiday Bowl againstArizona State after recording six tackles and two sacks during the game.[7][8] He finished the season with 37 tackles and 5.5 sacks.[9]
As a senior in 2008, Orakpo recorded 40 tackles and 11.5 sacks and was theAssociated PressBig 12 Defensive Player of the Year.[10][11][12] He also was the winner of theBronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the best defensive player,[13] theTed Hendricks Award, given to the top defensive end,[14]The Bill Willis Trophy given to the top collegiate defensive lineman, and theLombardi Award, given to the best lineman or linebacker.[15] He was recognized as a unanimous first-teamAll-American, after receiving first-team honors from the Associated Press,[16]American Football Coaches Association,[17]Football Writers Association of America,[18]The Sporting News,[19] and theWalter Camp Football Foundation.[20] He was the first Texas Longhorn defensive end to earn All-American honors sinceTony Brackens in1995.[21]
In his college career, Orakpo recorded 132 tackles, 22 sacks, 38 tackles for loss, 62 pressures, six passes broken up, six forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.[citation needed]
Orakpo attended theNFL Combine with much anticipation due to his well-known reputation as a "workout warrior".[22] His 31 reps in the bench press ranked second among all defensive ends and seventh best among all defensive linemen. His 39.5-inch vertical jump was second for all defensive lineman, and he showed his speed and acceleration while recording a 4.63 40-yard dash time.[23] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Orakpo was projected to be a first round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked the best defensive end/outside linebacker prospect in the draft by NFL analystBucky Brooks, was ranked the second best defensive end by DraftScout.com, and was ranked the second best outside linebacker in the draft by NFL analystMike Mayock.[24][25]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Brian Orakpo's NFL Combine Workout |
"Buyer beware, He's boom or bust. I don't know if he'sDeMarcus Ware orVernon Gholston. I've seen him have some really good games, and I've seen what I considered to beBrandon Pettigrew tearing him apart. The point is, I don't see it all the time from Orakpo, which concerns me."[26]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | Wonderlic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 263 lb (119 kg) | 33+1⁄2 in (0.85 m) | 9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) | 4.63 s | 1.58 s | 2.66 s | 4.45 s | 7.26 s | 39.5 in (1.00 m) | 10 ft 10 in (3.30 m) | 31 reps | 25 |
| All values fromNFL Combine/Texas' Pro Day[27][28][29] | ||||||||||||
TheWashington Redskins selected Orakpo in the first round (13th overall) of the2009 NFL draft. Orakpo was the third defensive end drafted in 2009.[30]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Redskins draft Brian Orakpo 13th overall | |
| First Draft: Brian Orakpo |
On July 31, 2009, the Washington Redskins signed Orakpo to a five-year, $15.33 million contract that included $11.69 million guaranteed and asigning bonus of $6.36 million.[31][32][33]
Head coachJim Zorn named Orakpo the starting strongside linebacker to begin the regular season, along withRocky McIntosh and middle linebackerLondon Fletcher.[34]
Orakpo made his NFL debut and first start in the season-opener against theNew York Giants and recorded two solo tackles in a 23–17 road loss.[35] During Week 3, he recorded four combined tackles and made his first NFL sack during a 19–14 loss at theDetroit Lions. Orakpo made his first career sack on quarterbackMatthew Stafford for an eight-yard loss in the third quarter.[36] In the next game, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles and a sack in a 16–13 victory over theTampa Bay Buccaneers.[37] During Week 14, Orakpo made six combined tackles and a season-high four sacks as the Redskins defeated theOakland Raiders by a score 34–13.[38] Orakpo had a sack onBruce Gradkowski and three sacks onJamarcus Russell and tied the Redskins' single-game sack record.[39] He earned the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award for his performance. On December 30, 2009, it was announced that Orakpo was selected to play in the2010 Pro Bowl and was the only rookie to be initially voted to the NFC roster.[40] Orakpo became the first Redskins' rookie to make the Pro Bowl since RB/KRTony Green in1978.[41]
Orakpo finished his rookie year 50 combined tackles (37 solo), a career-high 11 sacks, and two pass deflections in 16 games and starts.[42]
On January 4, 2010, the Redskins fired head coach Jim Zorn after they finished with a 4–12 record in 2009.[43] The Washington Redskins hiredJim Haslett as their new defensive coordinator and installed a base3-4 defense. Head coachMike Shanahan named Orakpo andAndre Carter the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season, along with inside linebackers London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh.[44]
During Week 5, Orakpo recorded three combined tackles and a season-high a two sacks on quarterbackAaron Rodgers during a 16–13 win over theGreen Bay Packers.[45] In Week 10, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles and was credited with half a sack during a 59–28 loss to thePhiladelphia Eagles.[46] Orakpo was sidelined for the Week 16 victory at theJacksonville Jaguars after sustaining a hamstring injury the previous week.[47]
Orakpo finished his second professional season with 56 combined tackles (36 solo), 8.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 15 games and starts.[48] On January 23, 2011, it was announced that he would play in the2011 Pro Bowl as a replacement for Packers linebackerClay Matthews III who was appearing inSuper Bowl XLV.[49]
Head coach Mike Shanahan named Orakpo andRyan Kerrigan the starting outside linebackers to start the regular season, along with inside linebackers London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh.[50]
During Week 4 against theSt. Louis Rams, Orakpo recorded five combined tackles, a forced fumble, and had a season-high 2.5 sacks on Rams' quarterbackSam Bradford during a 17–10 road victory.[51] His performance earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.[52] Three weeks later, he collected a season-high six combined tackles and a sack in a 33–20 road loss against theCarolina Panthers.[53] In the regular-season finale, Orakpo recorded three solo tackles and made two sacks during a 34–10 road loss to thePhiladelphia Eagles.[54] He exited the game after suffering an injury to his left shoulder and pectoral muscle after sackingMichael Vick in the second quarter.[55]
On January 10, 2012, it was reported that Orakpo successfully underwent surgery to repair his shoulder.[56] Orakpo was selected as an alternate for the2012 Pro Bowl along with teammates,London Fletcher andLorenzo Alexander.[57] He finished his third season with 59 combined tackles (34 solo), nine sacks, and five pass deflections in 16 games and starts.[58]
Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan returned as the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season, along with London Fletcher andPerry Riley.[59]
During Week 2, Orakpo recorded three solo tackles and a sack before exiting the 31–28 road loss against theSt. Louis Rams after tearing his pectoral muscle.[60][61] On September 18, 2012, the Redskins officially placed Orakpo on injured reserve after confirming he would have to undergo surgery to repair his torn pectoral muscle and would miss the rest of the season.[62]
Orakpo finished the season with five solo tackles, three pass deflections, and a sack in two games and starts.[63]
During Week 4, Orakpo recorded four combined tackles, a season-high two sacks, and broke up two passes during a 24–14 road victory against theOakland Raiders.[64] Three weeks later, he recorded four combined tackles, a pass deflection, and returned an interception for his first NFL touchdown during a 45–41 victory against theChicago Bears.[65][66] Orakpo intercepted a pass by quarterbackJay Cutler, that was intended for wide receiverAlshon Jeffery, and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.[67] During Week 13, Orakpo recorded six combined tackles and tied his season-high of two sacks during a 24–17 loss to theNew York Giants. Orakpo was inactive for the Redskins' Week 17 loss as the New York Giants due a ground injury he sustained the previous week.[68] On December 30, 2013, the Washington Redskins fired head coach Mike Shanahan after they finished with a 3–13 record.[69]
Orakpo finished the season with a career-high 60 combined tackles (43 solo), ten sacks, four pass deflections, an interception, and a touchdown in 15 games and starts.[70] On January 21, 2014, it was announced that he would play in the2014 Pro Bowl as a replacement forAhmad Brooks who withdrew from the game.[71]
On March 3, 2014, the Redskins applied their non-exclusivefranchise tag on Orakpo which allowed them to match any contract offer by other teams attempting to sign him.[72] On March 27, 2014, he signed his one-year, $11.45 million franchise tender.[73]
New head coachJay Gruden retained defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and opted to retain the base 3–4 defense. He named Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season, along with inside linebackersKeenan Robinson and Perry Riley.[74] During Week 5, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles during a 27–17 loss to theSeattle Seahawks. On October 19, 2014, Orakpo made one tackle before exiting in the fourth quarter of the Redskins' 19–17 win against theTennessee Titans due to an injury to his right shoulder.[75] The following day, it was announced that Orakpo had torn his pectoral muscle and was expected to miss the rest of the season.[76] On October 21, 2014, the Redskins officially placed him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.[77]
Orakpo finished the 2014 season with 24 combined tackles (14 solo), a pass deflection, and was credited with half a sack in seven games and starts.[78] He became anunrestricted free agent in 2015 and was regarded as the top free agent linebacker available. He attended a private meeting with the Tennessee Titans and had a meeting scheduled with theArizona Cardinals.[79]
On March 13, 2015, theTennessee Titans signed Orakpo to a four-year, $31 million contract with $13.50 million guaranteed and asigning bonus of $5 million.[33][80]
Orakpo entered training camp slated as the starting right outside linebacker. Head coachKen Whisenhunt named Orakpo andDerrick Morgan the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season, along with inside linebackersAvery Williamson andZach Brown.[81]
On October 21, 2015, Orakpo was announced as the Titans'defensive captain. It marked the first time he was named a team captain during his career.[82] On November 3, 2015, the Tennessee Titans fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt after the Titans began the season with a 1–6 record.[83] Tight ends coachMike Mularkey was promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[84] During Week 9, Orakpo recorded four combined tackles, deflected a pass, and had a season-high two sacks on quarterbackDrew Brees during a 34–28 overtime road victory against theNew Orleans Saints.[85] In the next game, he had a season-high six combined tackles and a sack as the Titans lost 27–10 to theCarolina Panthers in Week 10.[86]
Orakpo finished his first season with the Titans with 51 combined tackles (38 solo), seven sacks, and five pass deflections in 16 games and starts.[87]
The Titans retained head coach Mike Mularkey and hiredDick LeBeau as their new defensive coordinator. Mularkey named Orakpo and Derrick Morgan the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season, along with inside linebackers Avery Williamson andWesley Woodyard.[88]
During Week 5, Orakpo collected a season-high six combined tackles and sacked quarterbackRyan Tannehill twice during a 30–17 road victory against theMiami Dolphins.[89] On December 20, 2016, it was announced that Orakpo was named to the2017 Pro Bowl roster.[90]
Orakpo finished the 2016 season with 46 combined tackles (38 solo), 10.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 16 games and starts.[91] He was ranked 78th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[92]
Head coach Mike Mularkey retained Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, Wesley Woodyard, and Avery Williamson as the starting linebackers in 2017.[93]
During a Week 2 37–16 victory over theJacksonville Jaguars, Orakpo forced a fumble off of quarterbackBlake Bortles, which was recovered by teammateErik Walden.[94] During Week 12, Orakpo recorded four combined tackles and a season-high 1.5 sacks during a 20–16 road victory against theIndianapolis Colts.[95] During Week 16, he collected a season-high six combined tackles in a 27–23 loss against theLos Angeles Rams.[96]
Orakpo finished the 2017 season 44 combined tackles (30 solo), seven sacks, three forced fumbles, and two pass deflections in 16 games and starts.[97] The Titans finished second in theAFC South with a 9–7 record and qualified for the playoffs as a Wild Card team.[98] On January 6, 2018, Orakpo started in his first career playoff game and recorded two combined tackles and 1.5 sacks during a narrow 22–21 road victory against theKansas City Chiefs in the AFCWild Card Round.[99] The following week, he recorded two combined tackles as the Titans lost to theNew England Patriots in the AFCDivisional Round on the road by a score of 35–14.[100]
Orakpo missed the final three games of the season due to an elbow injury.[101] He finished the 2018 with 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble in 13 games starting all of them.[102]
On December 31, 2018, Orakpo announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons.[103]
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sck | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | ||
| 2009 | WAS | 16 | 16 | 50 | 37 | 13 | 11.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | WAS | 15 | 15 | 56 | 36 | 20 | 8.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | WAS | 16 | 16 | 59 | 34 | 25 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 2012 | WAS | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | WAS | 15 | 15 | 60 | 43 | 17 | 10.0 | 1 | 29 | 29.0 | 29T | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| 2014 | WAS | 7 | 7 | 24 | 14 | 10 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | TEN | 16 | 16 | 51 | 38 | 13 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | TEN | 16 | 16 | 46 | 38 | 8 | 10.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | TEN | 16 | 16 | 44 | 30 | 14 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | TEN | 13 | 13 | 28 | 18 | 10 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Career | 132 | 132 | 423 | 293 | 130 | 66.0 | 1 | 29 | 29.0 | 29T | 1 | 31 | 12 | 3 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sck | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | ||
| 2017 | TEN | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Among Orakpo's endorsement contracts included one he signed in August 2011 withGeico,[104] and he appeared in several commercials with one of that company's "caveman" spokespeople. While with the Redskins, Orakpo also appeared in several commercials for Eastern Motors, a D.C. area car dealership.[105][106] Brian married his wife Bitura in 2009[citation needed]. They have three children together.[citation needed]. In 2018, Orakpo and Tennessee Titans teammateMichael Griffin opened a franchise of Gigi's Cupcakes outsideAustin, Texas with their friend, Bryan Hynson.[107]
