Tag: Chris Orr

Former Wisconsin star linebacker joins Baylor coaching staff

Former Wisconsin star linebacker joins Baylor coaching staff

Former Wisconsin star linebacker Chris Orr has accepted a position on Dave Aranda’s Baylor coaching staff.

This move means Orr officially retires from professional football. He spent the last few years with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL. That move followed a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 spring transfer portal window tracker

Orr’s LinkedIn page lists his position at Baylor as ‘Assistant Linebackers Coach.’

He joins a Baylor program led by Aranda — Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator from 2013-2015. Aranda and Orr overlapped during the linebacker’s freshman season in 2015.

Orr’s Wisconsin career finished in 2019 after 188 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 15.0 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and eight pass deflections.

He now begins a coaching career that predictably starts thanks to a Wisconsin connection. Wisconsin has a new coaching staff in place, but Orr ending up on the Badgers staff wouldn’t be a surprise.

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WATCH: Former Badger linebacker not concerned about in-state recruiting

Many skeptics have pointed out the team’s lack of success with recruiting Wisconsin athletes, but former linebacker Chris Orr isn’t worried.

The 2023 Badger football season is one that fans are eagerly awaiting because of all the changes under head coach Luke Fickell. Many skeptics have pointed out the team’s lack of success with recruiting Wisconsin athletes, but former Badger linebacker Chris Orr isn’t worried.

Orr was a member of Wisconsin’s defense from 2015-2019, racking up 188 total tackles, including 15 sacks, over 41 contests. As seen below, he says that T.J. Watt (Pewaukee, WI) was the only Badger State player that was the best Wisconsin football player for any of the seasons during Orr’s time in Madison.

The linebacker goes on to state that even the best players in program history aren’t from Wisconsin (Jonathan Taylor, Ron Dayne, etc). In the end, Orr understands the program better than almost anyone and what he has to say makes a lot of sense.

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Former Wisconsin linebacker earns USFL honors

Good news for a former Badger:

Former Wisconsin linebacker Chris Orr recently wrapped an impressive first season in the USFL. While his New Jersey Generals went 3-7 and finished in last place in the North division, Orr was a defensive leader and finished with a team-high 81 tackles.

Orr will now likely be searching for training camp opportunities with NFL teams. He’ll have a resume booster for that cause, as yesterday he was named to the 2023 All-USFL Team defense.

Related: Wisconsin in-state class of 2024 offensive tackle commits to Minnesota

The Wisconsin product tallied 2.5 sacks during the season in addition to the aforementioned 81 tackles in only 10 games. He was one of only three linebackers named to the team.

A strong showing in the USFL is a great sign for Orr’s NFL prospects. We’ve numerous stories of both USFL and XFL products finding their way onto NFL rosters because of the opportunity the separate league provided.

Wisconsin on Big Ten Network did good work nine days ago after one of Orr’s strong games, posting some of his best highlights from his time as a Badger:

WATCH: Former Wisconsin LB Chris Orr making noise in the USFL

Chris Orr’s latest highlight play came Sunday against the Philadelphia Stars.

Former Wisconsin linebacker Chris Orr found a temporary home in the USFL last year, that after spending the 2020 NFL season bouncing to and from Carolina’s practice squad.

Orr finished a stellar Wisconsin career in 2019 after recording 188 total tackles over four years, 21 tackles-for-loss, 15 sacks, 2 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. 2019 was the big-impact year of his time in Madison, as it included 14 starts, 78 of those tackles, 14 TFLs, 11.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

Now Orr is making noise on the USFL’s New Jersey Generals, where through eight games he’s notched 73 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

His latest highlight play came Sunday against the Philadelphia Stars. He snuffed out a play-action fake and got to the quarterback for an eight-yard loss.

The former Wisconsin linebacker hasn’t been on an NFL roster or practice squad since May 2021. We’ll see if a strong season in the USFL gets him back to that level.

A former Badger LB currently leads the USFL in tackles

A former Badger LB currently leads the USFL in tackles

A former Badger has made the most of his opportunity so far in the newly relaunched USFL. Former Wisconsin linebacker Chris Orr is with the New Jersey Generals and leads the league in total tackles with 41.

Orr was a tackling machine as a senior at Wisconsin, finishing the 2019 season with a career-best 78 total tackles and 11.5 sacks.

Orr returned to Wisconsin briefly, working in player development before continuing his professional career. He was drafted by the New Jersey Generals in the 21st round of the 2022 USFL draft as the league came back to life. Orr is still looking for his way back to the NFL after a successful start to the USFL campaign.

Series History: Wisconsin vs. Iowa

The series history between the Wisconsin Badgers and Iowa Hawkeyes:

On Saturday afternoon, the Wisconsin Badgers will face off on the road against the Iowa Hawkeyes for the 96th time in their history to battle for the Heartland Trophy. The first time these two teams played was in 1894 when the Badgers shut out the Hawkeyes 44-0.

Wisconsin has won eight of the last ten matchups between them, including the latest matchup at Camp Randall in 2021 where they won 27-7 over Iowa. Badgers’ running back Braelon Allen ran for 105 rushing yards, while quarterback Graham Mertz threw for a touchdown and took two in for himself at the 1-yard line.

The Badgers will have a tough task this weekend because of the Hawkeyes’ talented defense, but hopefully, their revamped offense is up to the task to keep the Heartland Trophy.

Below are photos from the last few matchups between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Wisconsin Badgers:

WATCH: Chris Orr is making plays in the USFL

The former Badger is off to a flying start in the USFL

Former Wisconsin linebacker Chris Orr is off to a terrific start with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals.

Orr is currently leading the team with 28 tackles and has been a force at linebacker throughout the early part of the season. The former Badger signed with the Carolina Panthers after going undrafted in 2020, and found his way to the revamped USFL in 2022.

Orr’s speed and tackling ability was on display as a Badger, and that same skill set has led him to 28 tackles through the first four games of the USFL season. His team has won their last three games in a row as the Generals sit at 3-1. Check out one of Orr’s best plays from last weekend’s win:

Former Wisconsin LB Chris Orr nominated for USFL Defensive Player of the Week

Former Badger LB Chris Orr nominated for the Week 2 USFL Defensive Player of the Week:

Former Wisconsin linebacker Chris Orr has been making the most of his opportunity in the USFL and was one of four players nominated for this week’s Defensive Player of the Week.

Related: Jonathan Taylor was PFF’s highest-graded running back in 2021

After being waived from the practice squad for the Carolina Panthers in 2021, Orr was selected in the 27th-round of the USFL Draft by the New Jersey Generals. In the General’s victory over the Michigan Panthers on Friday night, Orr led the game with 10 total and three solo tackles.

It is outstanding to see former Badgers like Chris Orr and Garrett Groshek doing so well in the USFL, and if they continue to play so well, I would not be surprised to see them on NFL rosters in the fall.

LOOK: A Wisconsin Badger in the NFL is impressed by LB Jack Sanborn’s first half

Jack Sanborn’s former Badger teammate loved Wisconsin’s defensive effort in the first half:

While Wisconsin’s offense struggled mightily in the first half against Penn State, the Badger defense looked like one of the top units in the country.

Jack Sanborn was everywhere early on, leading the Badgers with 3 solo tackles and a sack to go along with a pair of tackles for loss. Chris Orr, A former Wisconsin LB who is currently looking for his next NFL opportunity, took notice of the Badger LB’s play.

During his senior season in Madison, Orr played a similar do-it-all LB role on a phenomenal 2019 Wisconsin defense. From his Twitter, here were his first-half thoughts on Wisconsin’s defensive star:

He also had some fun with former Carolina Panthers teammate Jermaine Carter Jr., who went to Maryland:

Report: Patriots host 5 players for workouts, including converted baseball player

The Patriots brought in converted baseball player who was a high school star at defensive end.

The New England Patriots hosted five players for workouts on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

New England brought in tight end Dylan Cozens, linebacker John Lako, defensive back Dominique Martin, linebacker Chris Orr and quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. Cozens, who is one of the more interesting names, is 27-years-old and making the transition from baseball. He spent a majority of his time as a minor leaguer in the Philadelphia Eagles’ organization, but he did find time in the major league for 27 games.

The Patriots have plenty of depth at quarterback with Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Jarrett Stidham (who’s out up to 12 weeks), Brian Hoyer and Jake Dolegala. Stidham’s temporary absence likely leads to the workout with Ta’amu, who went to Ole Miss and spent time with three NFL teams.

Day 9 of the Patriots’ training camp starts at 6 p.m. ET on Friday.

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