Brian Orakpo

At 37 years old, Brian Orakpo has this physical status:

Brian Ndubisi Orakpo (born July 31, 1986) is a retired American football outside linebacker who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football for the University of Texas and was named as a unanimous All-American by the Washington Redskins, the third overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

He played for the Tennessee Titans and was also selected to four Pro Bowls.

Early years

Orakpo was born in Houston, Texas, to parents Gloria and Arthur Orakpo, who are immigrant from Nigeria. Jennifer and Michael, his two younger siblings, are married. Orakpo played football at Lamar High School in Houston, Texas, where he competed in high school football. He was a defensive end and tight end, and he was a two-time first-team all-district pick for the Texans football team. In addition, he played basketball from his freshman to junior years.

Personal life

One of Orakpo's endorsement deals was a one signed with Geico in August 2011, and he has appeared in several commercials with one of the company's "caveman" spokespeople. Orakpo appeared in multiple advertisements for Eastern Motors, a D.C. auto dealership, when with the Redskins. In 2009, Brian married Bitura. Brian, Brianna (2013), and Brea (November 2017). Michael Griffin, an Orakpo and Tennessee Titans teammate, opened a franchise of Gigi's Cupcakes outside Austin, Texas, with Bryan Hynson, their friend.

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College career

Orakpo played for coach Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns football team from 2004 to 2008. He was redshirted as a freshman in 2004, but as a rookie in 2005, he played in all 13 games and started in one. He made an immediate impact on the Longhorns, helping them finish 10th in the country at defense, with 27 tackles, a half sack, a forced fumble, and recovered fumble. His play earned him the accolade of Defensive Freshman of the Year and first-team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News, and the Longhorns won their fourth National Championship.

He appeared in all 13 games as a sophomore in 2006, with 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks, and was named one of Lowe's Most Improved Defensive Players. He played in nine games and missed four due to a right knee injury against Arkansas State as a junior. After six tackles and two sacks during the game, he was named Defensive MVP of the 2007 Holiday Bowl against Arizona State. He ended the season with 37 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Orakpo made 40 tackles and 11.5 sacks as a senior in 2008 and was named Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He was also the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is given to the best defensive lineman or linebacker, as well as the Bill Willis Trophy, which is given to the top defensive lineman and linebacker. Since being named first-team All-American by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation, he was praised as a unanimous first-team All-American. He was the first Texas Longhorn defensive end to win All-American honors since Tony Brackens in 1995.

Orakpo's career included 132 tackles, 22 sacks, 38 tackles for loss, 62 tackles, six sacks, six forced fumbles, and a fumble revival.

Professional career

Orakpo's well-known reputation as a "workout warrior" enticed the crowd at the NFL Combine. His 31 reps in the bench press ranked second in all defensive ends and seventh best among all defensive linemen. His 39.5-inch vertical leap was second for all defensive lineman, and he displayed his speed and dynamism when completing a 4.63-yard dash time. Orakpo was expected to be a first round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts at the conclusion of the pre-draft process. By NFL analyst Bucky Brooks, he was rated the second best defensive end/outside linebacker prospect in the draft and the second best outside linebacker in the draft.

In the first round (13th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected Orakpo. Orakpo was the third defensive end drafted in 2009.

The Washington Redskins announced Orakpo to a five-year, $30.33 million deal on July 31, 2009, which included $11.69 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $6.36 million.

Orakpo is the starting strongside linebacker for the regular season, according to head coach Jim Zorn, as well as Rocky McIntosh and middle linebacker London Fletcher.

Orakpo made his NFL debut and his first appearance in the season opener against the New York Giants on Sunday and saw two solo tackles in a 23–17 road loss. During a 19-14 loss to the Detroit Lions, he had four combined tackles and made his first NFL sack. Orakpo fired quarterback Matthew Stafford for an eight-yard loss in the third quarter, his first job was sacked. In a 16–13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had a season-high seven combined tackles and a sack. The Redskins defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score 34-13 on Week 14, Orakpo recorded six combined tackles and a season-high four sacks. Bruce Gradkowski was fired, as well as three sacks on Jamarcus Russell, which tied the Redskins' single-game sack record. For his play, he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Orakpo was selected to play in the 2010 Pro Bowl on December 30, 2009, becoming the first rookie to be first elected to the NFC roster. Orakpo became the first Redskins rookie to play in the Pro Bowl since RB/KR Tony Green in 1978.

Orakpo's rookie year (1937 solo), a career-high 11 sacks, and two pass deflections in 16 games and starts, with two pass deflections in 34 games and starts.

Jim Zorn, the Redskins' head coach, was fired on January 4, 2010, after they finished with a 4–12 record in 2009. Jim Haslett, the Washington Redskins' new defensive coordinator, was hired as their new defensive coordinator, and they've installed a base 3-4 defense. Orakpo and Andre Carter, as well as inside linebackers London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh, were among the starting linebackers for the regular season.

During a 16-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers, Orakpo saw three sacks and a season-high two sacks on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. During a 59-28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, he had a season-high eight combined tackles and was credited with half a sack. Since suffering a hamstring injury the previous week, Orakpo was suspended for the Week 16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Orakpo's second season was an excellent success (36 solo), 8.8 sacks, two pass deflections, and a forcible fumble in 15 games and starts. On January 23, 2011, it was announced that he would play in the 2011 Pro Bowl as a replacement for Packers linebacker Clay Matthews III, who was in Super Bowl XLV. Orakpo won by five points over the AFC on January 30, 2011 during a 55-41 victory over the AFC.

To start the regular season, head coach Mike Shanahan named Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan, along with inside linebackers London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh.

Orakpo's quarterback Sam Bradford was suspended for five tackles, a forced fumble, and had a season-high 2.5 sacks on him against the St. Louis Rams in Week 4. For his work, he was named as the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award. In a 33-20 road loss to the Carolina Panthers, he had a season-high six combined tackles and a sack. During a 34-10 road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Orakpo recorded three solo tackles and made two sacks. After sacking Michael Vick in the second quarter, he dropped the game after suffering a injury to his left shoulder and pectoral muscle.

Orakpo successfully underwent surgery to repair his shoulder on January 10, 2012. Orakpo was selected as an alternate for the 2012 Pro Bowl alongside colleagues, London Fletcher, and Lorenzo Alexander. In 16 games and starts, he had 59 combined tackles (34 solo), nine arrests, and five pass deflections in his third season.

Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan, as the starting linebackers of the regular season, as well as London Fletcher and Perry Riley, were among the returning outside linebackers.

Orakpo had three solo tackles and a sack before losing by 31-28 on the St. Louis Rams after breaking his pectoral muscle. After confirming that he will need to have surgery to rebuild his torn pectoral muscle, Orakpo was placed on injured reserve on September 18, 2012, the Redskins announced on September 18, 2012, that he would miss the remainder of the season.

Orakpo finished the season with five solo tackles, three pass deflections, and a dismissal in two games and starts.

During a 24–14 road victory over the Oakland Raiders, Orakpo recorded four combined tackles, a season-high two sacks, and missed two passes. During a 45–41 victory over the Chicago Bears, he had four combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted an interception for his first NFL touchdown. In the second quarter, Orakpo intercepted a pass meant for wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown. During a 24-17 loss to the New York Giants, Orakpo had six combined tackles and tied his season-high of two sacks. Orakpo was inactive for the Redskins' Week 17 defeat due to a ground injury he sustained the previous week. After finishing with a 3–13 record, the Washington Redskins fired head coach Mike Shanahan on December 30, 2013.

Orakpo's season ended with a career-high 60 combined tackles (43 solo), ten kills, four pass deflections, an intercept, and an intercept, as well as a touchdown in 15 games and starts. It was announced on January 21, 2014, that Ahmad Brooks would play in the 2014 Pro Bowl as a replacement for him.

The Redskins used Orakpo's non-exclusive franchise tag on him on March 3, 2014, allowing them to match any other team's contract offer for him. On March 27, 2014, he signed his one-year, $11.45 million franchise tender.

Jay Gruden, the new head coach, retained defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and decided to keep the base 3-4 defense. He named Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan as the starting linebackers in the regular season, as well as inside linebackers Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley. During a 27-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, he had a season-high eight combined tackles during Week 5. Orakpo made one tackle before losing in the fourth quarter of the Redskins' 19–17 victory over the Tennessee Titans due to a right shoulder injury. Orakpo had to loosen his pectoral muscle the next day, and was likely to miss the remainder of the season. The Redskins announced on October 21, 2014, that he was on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Orakpo recorded 24 total tackles (16 solo), a pass deflection, and was suspended after seven games and starts. In 2015, he became the top free agent linebacker in the United States, and he was regarded as the best free agent linebacker on the market. He attended a private meeting with the Tennessee Titans and had a meeting with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Tennessee Titans signed Orakpo to a four-year, $31 million deal with a signing bonus of $5 million on March 13, 2015.

Orakpo was scheduled to begin training camp as the starting right outside linebacker. Orakpo and Derrick Morgan, along with inside linebackers Avery Williamson and Zach Brown, have been named as the starting outside linebackers by head coach Ken Whisenhunt to start the regular season.

Orakpo was announced as the Titans' defensive captain on October 21, 2015. It was the first time he had been named a team captain during his career. The Tennessee Titans fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt on November 3, 2015, the Titans' first coach since the Titans opened the season with a 1–6 record. Mike Mularkey, the tight ends coach, was promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Orakpo defeated the New Orleans Saints on Sunday after four combined tackles, deflected a pass, and had a season-high two sacks on quarterback Drew Brees. The Titans lost 27–10 to the Carolina Panthers in Week 10. In the next game, he had a season-high six combined tackles and a sack.

Orakpo played for 51 total tackles (38 solo), seven sacks, and five pass deflections in 16 games and starts in his first season with the Titans. In 2015, Orakpo received an overall score of 80.7 from Pro Football Focus.

The Titans retained head coach Mike Mularkey and hired Dick LeBeau as their new defensive coordinator. Orakpo and Derrick Morgan, as well as inside linebackers Avery Williamson and Wesley Woodyard, have been named as the starting linebackers for the regular season.

During a 30–17 road win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 5, Orakpo posted a season-high six combined tackles and fired quarterback Ryan Tannehill twice. Orakpo was selected to the 2017 Pro Bowl roster on December 20, 2016.

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. He was also ranked 78th on the 2017 NFL Top 100 Players.

In 2017, head coach Mike Mularkey retained Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, Wesley Woodyard, and Avery Williamson as the starting linebacks.

Orakpo turned down a touchdown from quarterback Blake Bortles, which was recovered by teammate Erik Walden during a Week 2 37-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. During a 20-16 road victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Week 12, Orakpo had four combined tackles and a season-high 1.5 sacks. In a 27–23 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, he recorded a season-high six combined tackles.

Orakpo's record for the 2017 season was 44 total tackles (30 solo), seven forced fumbles, three compelled fumbles, three stolen fumbles, and two pass deflections in 16 games and starts. Orakpo received a total rating of 78.2, the 29th highest grade among all qualifying edge rushers in 2017. The Titans finished second in the AFC South with a 9–7 record and qualified for the playoffs as a Wild Card team. During a narrow 22–21 road victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card Round, Orakpo played in his first professional playoff game and had two combined tackles and 1.5 sacks. As the Titans lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round on the road by a score of 35-14, he made two combined tackles this week.

Due to an elbow injury, Orakpo missed the final three games of the season. He finished the 2018 season with 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble in 13 games, three of whom were rookies.

Orakpo resigned from the NFL after ten seasons on December 31, 2018.

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