Chris Orr signs with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent

The former Wisconsin LB now has a home in Carolina

[lawrence-newsletter]Former Wisconsin LB Chris Orr has found his NFL home. Despite going undrafted, the Badger ‘backer did not have to wait long to sign as the Carolina Panthers came calling shortly after the end of the 2020 NFL draft.

There may not be a better motto for Orr than the Panthers’ “#KeepPounding” slogan as he gets ready to embark on his NFL journey. The Desoto, Tex. native has overcome adversity every step of the way to make it to this point. After not being heavily recruited out of high school, Orr suffered a knee injury that took away his entire 2016 season with UW. The road to recovery culminated this past year when the Badger star racked up 11.5 sacks as a senior, and earned himself second-team All-Big Ten honors.

Despite his performance as a senior, Orr did not receive an invite to the 2020 NFL Combine, but was fortunate that Wisconsin held their pro day just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sporting world. He showed out at UW’s pro day and earned himself an NFL contract.

Orr heads to Carolina to play in the NFC South for new Panthers Head Coach Matt Rhule and staff. The former Badger is part of a Wisconsin undrafted tradition that includes current NFL players Beau Benzschawel, T.J. Edwards, and Dare Ogunbowale among others.