Tag: Brian Orakpo

Titans spell Brian Orakpo’s name wrong during tribute

The Titans made a spelling error on Brian Orakpo’s name while honoring him in Week 12.

The Tennessee Titans honored their former outside linebacker Brian Orakpo during the Week 12 game against the Carolina Panthers, but there was one problem: they spelled his name wrong.

Orakpo was the Titans’ “Legend of the Game” and the franchise took time out on Sunday to give him his props. However, when they flashed a shot of him on the big screen in the stadium, there was a spelling error in his last name.

Instead of the correct spelling of “Orakpo”, the Titans flipped the the “K” and “P”, making it “Orapko”, which obviously isn’t a great look for the franchise.

Check out the mistake below.

Orakpo spent four years with the Titans from 2015 through 2018, finishing with 169 tackles and 26 sacks over 61 games in Nashville. He was also voted to one Pro Bowl in 2016.

Before that, he spent six years with Washington, the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Reliving Texas DE Brian Orakpo’s SportsCenter feature from 2008

Brian Orakpo was perhaps the most physically imposing Texas defensive end we have ever seen.

Brian Orakpo was perhaps the most physically dominant Texas defensive end we have ever seen. Orakpo’s unique strength earned him a SportsCenter feature detailing just how measurably strong was the Longhorns edge rusher.

The segment opened in the following way.

“When Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo got to Austin, he said he was frail. … Since then, Orakpo has added 50 pounds of muscle while maintaining eight percent body fat. The man they call Rak says his favorite actor is Robert De Niro. And once you see this guy, you’re definitely gonna wanna stay inside his circle of trust.”

In the feature, Orakpo shared his unreal lifting numbers in the weight room. Among them were a 515-pound bench press, an over 600-pound squat and a power clean at approximately 380 pounds. It’s the kind of pound-for-pound strength that has been few and far between on the Forty Acres in recent seasons.

Texas has made welcome strides in strength since strength and conditioning coach Torre Becton started implementing more heavy lifting. If the Longhorns are looking to return to prominence, building more players like Orakpo should be the goal.

Former Washington linebacker Brian Orakpo recalls his draft day

Brian Orakpo was the No. 13 overall pick for the Washington Football Team back in 2009. The former University of Texas standout played six

Brian Orakpo was the No. 13 overall pick for the Washington Football Team back in 2009. The former University of Texas standout played six years with Washington from 2009-14, finishing with 255 tackles and 40 sacks.

After the 2014 season ended, Orakpo signed a long-term deal with the Tennessee Titans, where he spent the final four seasons of his career.

Orakpo recently spoke with Julie Donaldson, Washington’s senior vice president of media and content, and reminisced about his 2009 draft day.

“It was a dream come true,” Orakpo said. “It jump-started my career, being in such a great organization, and it’s something you’ll never forget.”

Orakpo made a splash immediately, starting all 16 games for WFT and tied for the team lead with 11 sacks. He was named to the Pro Bowl team as a rookie. Orakpo would make the Pro Bowl three times during his six seasons in D.C.

Orakpo didn’t originally think he would last until No. 13, something the team didn’t believe either.

“They kept saying it and kept saying it,” Orakpo said, “to where they started to believe it.”

Once Denver picked running back Knowshon Moreno at No. 12, Washington was on the clock, and Orakpo received the call that would change his life.

“I said, ‘That has to be my destination,'” he said. “And then, I got the call with a Virginia area code, and it was all said and done. I was in the Washington franchise. Like I said, it was a dream come true.”
Orakpo would have a solid 10-year NFL career and retired while he still had plenty to give. After his playing career, Orakpo opened a cupcake shop with a former college and NFL teammate and remains thankful for his time in Washington.
“I got instilled into a great scheme, a great organization, a great game plan for myself,” Orakpo said. “It catapulted my career.”

Brian Orakpo’s advice to Joseph Ossai as he transitions to the NFL

Brian Orakpo spoke with Longhorns Wire earlier last week and gave an excellent piece of advice for Joseph Ossai as he enters the NFL.

Former Longhorn Brian Orakpo referred to Joseph Ossai as the next ‘Nigerian Nightmare‘ prior to the start of the 2020 college football season. Continue reading “Brian Orakpo’s advice to Joseph Ossai as he transitions to the NFL”

Horns legend Brian Orakpo discusses Steve Sarkisian, NFLPA’s ‘Pitch Day’

Longhorns football legend Brian Orakpo shares his opinions about new Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and safeties coach Blake Gideon.

Brian Orakpo was one of the nation’s premier defensive players during his collegiate career at Texas from 2005 through 2008. As a senior, he took home the Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top defensive player), Lombardi Award (nation’s top lineman), and the Hendricks Award (nation’s top defensive end). He was selected by Washington with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft and played 10 pro seasons with Washington and the Tennessee Titans.

Earlier this week, Orakpo spoke with Longhorns Wire about myriad topics involving his alma mater while making the rounds to promote his involvement with the NFLPA’s “Pitch Day,” a virtual event similar to ABC’s “Shark Tank” which gives women and minority-led startups the chance to compete for business funding and mentorship.

Orakpo served as one of the judges for the fifth annual “Pitch Day” event, which was hosted by basketball legend and entrepreneur Magic Johnson. (You can watch the complete video of this year’s “Pitch Day” at the bottom of this article.) Six fledgling companies presented their business plan to Orakpo and fellow judges Nneka Ogwumike (WNBA All-Star), Golden Tate (New York Giants wide receiver) and Sydney Colson (WNBA veteran).

“The experience was awesome, and it gives me an opportunity to look at different ideas and people thinking outside the box,” Orakpo said. “I’m an entrepreneur myself, so I know what that’s all about when you’re up and starting and have a great business in mind, and you want to get the ball rolling.”

In addition to the Nagurski, Lombardi and Hendricks awards, Orakpo was a member of the 2005 Longhorns BCS national championship team as a freshman and was named to four Pro Bowls during his NFL career. Needless to say, he knows a thing or two about what it takes to be successful, and he senses similar traits in new Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.

“My initial thought was a winner,” Orakpo said of the hire. “I’m thinking more current with his success at Alabama and being able to shape that offense with the talent that he’s produced — including one of his players winning the Heisman — that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Orakpo recently witnessed Sarkisian’s energy and vision for the Texas program firsthand.

“I actually had a Zoom call with myself and a few other Texas alumni guys with coach Sark — his energy, passion, and plan for greatness to come back to the University of Texas … I’m on board,” Orakpo said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been on the national stage, and he has the willpower and a great coaching staff that he’s hired. He has the motivation that I think will get us over the top and a great plan to get Texas back to where it needs to be.”

One of Orakpo’s former Texas teammates, Blake Gideon, was recently hired by Sarkisian as safeties coach. Although Orakpo couldn’t have predicted that Gideon would land a coaching job of this caliber at this point in his career, he always believed Gideon possessed the traits needed to succeed as a coach.

Just 31, Gideon already boasts college coaching experience at Ole Miss, Houston, Georgia State, Western Carolina, Auburn and Florida.

“Honestly, Blake was destined to be in some type of motivational position,” Orakpo said. “I didn’t think it would be this soon, if I could be quite honest, because it’s overwhelming for the success that he has had with his coaching career. It’s tremendous, for him to have that opportunity to come back to the Forty Acres. It has to be a dream come true for him, but also for the guys that played with him, because we know Blake like the back of our hand.”

Orakpo raved about Gideon’s work ethic.

“He’s a competitor, and he’s going to be the first-one-in-and-last-one-out type of guy with no excuses. We all love his passion, and he’s a great family man. He has all the intangibles to be a great coach, which you’ve seen at a very young age. Once he got hired and we saw his name on the dotted line, I knew that the secondary would get back to being DBU, and Texas would get that title back.”

If the coaching staff performs as well as Orakpo believes it can, Texas fans are in for a wild ride.

Watch Brian Orakpo judge in this year’s edition of the NFLPA’s “Pitch Day” below, and be sure to check Longhorns Wire in the coming days for more installments of our interview with him.

[jwplayer bg3gaiXz]

Bleacher Report lists Texas among schools who are ‘Defense U’

Bleacher Report is wrapping up a series in positional “U”, in which they crowned the top defensive school. The Longhorns were among them.

It seems to be an ongoing debate. Who is “DBU” or defensive back university. The usual suspects are Florida, Alabama, Ohio State, Louisiana State or Texas. Bleacher Report posed the question of who can claim “Defense U”. Texas was among the teams who made the cut just outside of the top three.

The top three schools should come as no shock with Florida State, Southern California and Miami (FL). The basis of the argument dates back from 1970 to current. For the Longhorns, they were the last team listed in the honorable mentions.

Casey Hampton, Doug English and Steve McMichael on the defensive line. Derrick Johnson and Brian Orakpo at linebacker. Earl Thomas, Jerry Gray and Raymond Clayborn in the secondary. There are no “best of all time” candidates in the bunch, but that’s a nice collection of alumni at all three levels of the defense, featuring a dozen multiple-time Pro Bowlers. That combination of factors made Texas the toughest school to cut out of our top three.

Prior to 1970, there was a man named Tommy Nobis who was viewed as one of the all-time greats in college football. However, bases on the criteria he was just outside of their scope as he finished his collegiate career in 1965. Had B/R expanded their list to a top five, the Longhorns are likely listed at number four of the greatest defensive talent schools in the last 50 years.

Other notable names that played defense at Texas were defensive end Bill Atessis (1968-70), defensive back Johnnie Johnson (1976-79), and defensive end Kiki DeAyla (1979-82). DeAyla still holds the school record for most sacks in a season (22.5 sacks) and for a career (40.5).

Countdown to Texas Football: Greatest 99 and 98 in Longhorns history

In a countdown to the 2020 season, we remember the best players in Texas Longhorns history. Who were the best to wear 99 and 98?

College football is set to kickoff the season on September 5th. For the Texas Longhorns they are scheduled to host the South Florida Bulls at Darrell K. Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin. That kickoff is set for 98 days (at time of publishing) from now. In a kickoff series we remember the best players in Texas Longhorns history.

Continue reading “Countdown to Texas Football: Greatest 99 and 98 in Longhorns history”

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Texas Longhorns first round picks since 1999

Take a journey back to every Texas Longhorn to be drafted in the first round since 1999.

The 2020 NFL Draft is just hours away from officially kicking off. There are a few ways that you can tune into the festivities on Thursday Night. Despite the fact that the Texas Longhorns don’t have a first round caliber player according to almost every major draft analysts board, we take a journey back to every first round selection since 1999. The Longhorns could have a first round pick next year if Samuel Cosmi decides to declare or another name jumps to the front.

1999

Ricky Williams: 5th overall to the New Orleans Saints

Brian Bahr /Allsport

In 1999 the New Orleans Saints and head coach Mike Ditka gave up their entire draft just to secure the rights for Ricky Williams. Williams went on to play for the Saints until 2001 when he had a career year for the Miami Dolphins in 2002. He earned his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors that season with 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Williams played for one other team before hanging up the cleats, the Baltimore Ravens in 2011. He finished his 11-year career with 10,009 yards rushing and 66 touchdowns. Adding another eight receiving. His career was never the same after retiring in 2004 and returning to the NFL in 2005.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11

ESPN names Titans’ best and worst free-agent signings since 2015

ESPN’s Turron Davenport named the Titans’ best and worst free-agent signings of the last five years.

The Tennessee Titans enter this year’s free agency with less holes to patch up than usual, but there are still some tweaks to make.

The Titans have had some hits and misses in recent history, and ESPN’s Turron Davenport named his best free-agent signing for the Titans since 2015, which was outside linebacker Brian Orakpo.

“After Orakpo came to the Titans in 2015 on a four-year, $31 million contract, he immediately became one of their top pass-rushers, finishing with 25.5 sacks over four seasons,” he wrote. “Orakpo’s 10.5-sack season in 2016 helped the Titans’ defense get off to a great start under new coordinator Dick LeBeau. His double-digit sack total was the only one by a Titans player over the past five seasons. Orakpo’s leadership was also key during his time with the Titans.”

Davenport sees former Titans defensive tackle Sylvester Williams as the Titans’ worst free-agent signing in the past five years.

“The veteran signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract in 2017,” Williams started 11 games for the Titans, along with two playoff games,” he wrote. “He finished with one sack that season, which came in their divisional-round playoff loss to the Patriots. He was released one year later.”

Depending on how things shake out with players like quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry, free agency could become even more important for the Titans.

Edge rusher, cornerback and right tackle are other positions the Titans could use free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft to address.

2020 Recruiting: Alfred Collins

Texas Longhorns target, Alfred Collins will be in action this weekend in the All-American Bowl.

The recruiting class so far has yielded on of the top classes in the nation but Tom Herman and the Texas Longhorns still have work to do. One target still in the cross hairs is Alfred Collins of Bastrop, Texas.

The four star defensive end would be a huge get for Texas. As was evident in the Alamo Bowl, when the pass rush gets going the Longhorns can play with anyone in the country. The Utes were ranked in the top 12 for a reason and the Longhorns defense was able to play some suffocating defense. It was something that gave fans some hope for the future.

The defense has been missing that pass rusher like Charles Omenihu, Alex Okafor or even Brian Orakpo. Enter Alfred Collins. The pass rusher will be on display in the All-American Bowl this weekend and could give Longhorns faithful a glimpse of their future. Collins is a long athlete that is still filling out his frame but has the ability to help a pass rush that was lacking in 2019.

He has a relentless motor that will be key for him in the Big 12, with out offense perform in this conference Collins will need to get downfield to help with swarming to the ball. He has some technique with his hand placement that will only improve with college coaching. He uses his long arms and frame to his advantage, it will be difficult for quarterbacks to throw over the 6’5″ edge defender.

Collins can rush from anywhere on the defensive front and does so with some quickness and power. He isn’t the premiere sack master that some will covet but as your strong-side defensive end, Collins is good at setting the edge and stopping the run. During his three years in high school he tallied 25 tackles, 74 of them were tackles for loss and 18 sacks.

Should Herman get Collins to sign with Texas then the Longhorns defense will definitely be heading in the right direction.