Ruke Orhorhoro was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and moved to the United States at nine years old. He didn't start playing football until his junior year of high school as basketball was his main focus. Out of River Rouge High School in Michigan, Orhorhoro was a three-star recruit and the No. 46 strong-side defensive end prospect in the country, per 247Sports. He held offers from various Power Five programs including Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Wisconsin before committing to Clemson.
In 2022 and 2023, Orhorhoro was named third-team All-ACC by various publications. He started 30 of his 43 games played for the Tigers. He played 409 snaps in 2023, ranking 211th among 937 FBS defensive tackles.
According to PFF, Orhorhoro accumulated 53 pressures, eight sacks, and 29 stops over the last two seasons (26 games) for the Tigers. Among 319 FBS defensive tackles to play at least 300 snaps in 2023, Jenkins had the 61st-best overall PFF grade, the 41st-best run defense grade, and the 116th-best pass rush grade. Additionally, he ranked 89th in pass-rush win rate on true pass sets.
Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhoro offers excellent upside but needs to be developed.
— Quinten Krzysko (@ButkusStats) December 29, 2023
✅ Springy athlete with long frame & room to add mass
✅Powerful punch at the POA paired with a motor that runs hot
❌Raw pass rusher who needs more moves and a plan#BuildingTheBoard pic.twitter.com/wQqC9hsw6S
Orhorhoro currently has a top-75 grade from our team. He has room to grow but also provides a relatively high floor. He offers value to even- and odd-front teams as either an even-front penetrator or an odd-front defensive end, gaining experience in both roles at Clemson.
His floor is that of a rotational player. It's set by his ability to play stout run defense and hold up the point of attack with plus physical tools and good leverage. Meanwhile, Orhorhoro's ceiling is that of an above-average starter. To reach that ceiling, he needs to develop more counters off of his bull rush, add some good weight, and strategize the game a little bit more. The tools are there for him to become a good NFL player.
While Orhorhoro could be a fit for the Chicago Bears, I'm not sure he's a player Ryan Poles would target. If the Bears plan to draft a penetrating three-technique, I imagine they go after one with a little more polish, such as Michael Hall Jr. or Tyler Davis. While Orhorhoro can disrupt in a one-gap scheme, his pass-rush production hasn't been a strength to this point. The potential for development is there, and if the Bears are looking for another Day 2 developmental pick on the interior defensive line, it certainly could be a fit. But I get the feeling that they might want more polish for a Day 2 pick this time around.
Pro Comp: Taven Bryan
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!