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| Brian Orakpo | |
|---|---|
| Name | Brian Orakpo |
| Birth date | June 6, 1986 |
| Birth place | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 255 lb |
| College | University of Texas at Austin |
| Position | Outside linebacker |
| Draft year | 2009 |
| Draft pick | 13 |
| Pastteams | Washington Redskins, Tennessee Titans |
Brian Orakpo Brian Orakpo is a former American football outside linebacker known for his pass-rushing productivity and collegiate success. He played for the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns and spent the majority of his professional career with the Washington Redskins before finishing with the Tennessee Titans. Orakpo earned multiple individual honors for his play at both the collegiate and professional levels, including All-American distinctions and Pro Bowl recognition.
Orakpo was born in Houston, Texas and attended Jersey Village High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete in American football, basketball, and track and field. In high school football he played linebacker and defensive end under the coaching staff led by his high school coaches, competing against regional programs such as Klein Collins High School and Cypress Falls High School. He recorded impressive defensive statistics, earning attention from major collegiate programs like University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, University of Oklahoma, and University of Florida. As a recruit he participated in events with other notable prospects who later played in the National Football League, attending camps and combines alongside future professionals from programs such as Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers football.
At the University of Texas at Austin Orakpo redshirted his first year before emerging as a starter under head coach Mack Brown. He contributed to a Longhorns defense featuring teammates who would enter the NFL Draft, competing in high-profile games such as the 2006 Rose Bowl rematch seasons and the 2009 BCS National Championship Game cycle. Orakpo earned consensus All-American honors and won awards including the Ted Hendricks Award as a top defensive end, sharing the field with other decorated collegiate players like Vince Young and Rhett Bomar in program history. He recorded high sack totals and tackles for loss against opponents such as Oklahoma Sooners football, Nebraska Cornhuskers football, and Texas A&M Aggies football, helping the Longhorns secure conference victories in the Big 12 Conference and appear in bowl games. Scouts from franchises including the Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England Patriots evaluated his film leading into the 2009 NFL Draft.
Orakpo was selected in the first round, 13th overall, by the Washington Redskins in the 2009 NFL Draft. He signed a rookie contract and joined a defensive unit coached by Jim Zorn and later Mike Shanahan, operating alongside teammates like Brian Dawkins and London Fletcher. Early in his professional tenure he established himself as a pass rusher against opponents from divisions including the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. He later signed with the Tennessee Titans where he teamed with players such as Jason McCourty and Marcus Mariota, contributing veteran leadership to a defense coordinated by Dick LeBeau and staff. Across both franchises he faced elite offensive linemen from teams like the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens, participating in divisional rivalries within the NFC East and AFC South.
Orakpo compiled career totals that include sacks, tackles, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries accumulated over regular season and postseason play. His statistical achievements placed him among franchise leaders in quarterback pressures and sacks during his tenure with the Washington Redskins and contributed to defensive rankings in multiple seasons. He recorded multi-sack games versus teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, and his postseason appearances placed him on the field against premier quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. Season-by-season breakdowns from his rookie year through his final season with the Tennessee Titans reflect durability interrupted by injuries including pectoral and torn Achilles injuries that impacted availability and statistical output.
Orakpo's playing style combined explosive first-step quickness, hand technique refined through coaching at University of Texas at Austin, and the ability to bend around offensive tackles from schemes run by coordinators like Gregg Williams and Dirk Koetter. Analysts compared his motor and versatility to veteran pass rushers and situational edge defenders who shifted between three-point and two-point stances in systems favoring hybrid linebackers. His legacy includes mentorship of younger players such as rookie pass rushers on the Tennessee Titans roster and influence on edge-rushing development in the NFL; he is cited in discussions alongside peers like J.J. Watt, Von Miller, and Cameron Jordan for his impact during the 2010s era.
Off the field Orakpo is connected to family and community in Houston, Texas, maintaining relationships with former teammates from the University of Texas at Austin and the Washington Redskins. He has been linked through social and professional circles to athletes across sports, including contemporaries from the NBA and MLB. His background includes cultural ties to his Nigerian heritage, and he has engaged with alumni networks from Texas and professional organizations such as the NFL Players Association.
Orakpo has participated in charitable initiatives and community programs associated with franchises like the Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans, partnering with local organizations and youth-oriented foundations in metropolitan areas such as Washington, D.C. and Nashville, Tennessee. His off-field pursuits include business ventures and endorsements coordinated with agents and firms experienced in athlete representation, and involvement in charitable events alongside other NFL alumni and celebrities from organizations including the Pro Football Hall of Fame alumni events and local nonprofit groups. He has supported causes focusing on youth sports, education, and community development in collaboration with civic organizations and former collegiate teammates.
Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:American football linebackers Category:University of Texas at Austin alumni