Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro is among the best interior defensive line prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. Orhorhoro was outstanding for the Tigers this season.
The No. 31 overall player in our latest TDN100 update, Orhorhoro spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his incredible journey from Lagos, Nigeria to Clemson. Orhorhoro’s parents persevered through an uprooting that transformed the family. Orhorhoro also discussed his skill set as a pass rusher and run defender, his go-to pass-rushing moves, the bond he possesses with teammate Tyler Davis, and so much more.
JM: You were born in Lagos, Nigeria and moved to America at the age of nine. What do you recall most about the journey?
Ruke Orhorhoro: I’d probably have to reference how the environment was completely different from what I was used to. I haven’t been back home to Nigeria in a while, since I was younger. I’m planning to go visit within the next two years.
The environment sticks out for sure. The heat was the biggest difference that I remember (laughs).
JM: It was much warmer in Nigeria I reckon.
Ruke Orhorhoro: Much warmer (laughs). It’s hot every single day. No days off. It’s always over 95 degrees.
JM: What was your first experience with culture shock? Something that made you say, “Wow, that’s different.”
Ruke Orhorhoro: Probably the schooling. Back home in Nigeria, the schooling is completely different. We mostly have boarding schools. You have to sleep, eat, and shower there for the entire semester. Over here, it was just different for me to attend class and go back home seven hours later (laughs). The schooling system was the biggest culture shock for me.
JM: That’s definitely a huge difference. Your family overcame adversity in order to set up roots in America. What did that teach you about hard work and perseverance?
Ruke Orhorhoro: I think of my dad, man. He went through so much to get us over here. He got us our citizenship. He never gave up. He saw a dream and he just went for it. He really is the epitome of hard work and perseverance. It wasn’t an easy journey. My parents made the move with many young kids, myself and my siblings. We were all very young. My father set his mind to making the move and he did it. He didn’t stop until we officially settled.
We moved here because he wanted a better life for us. I really appreciate him. That’s the lesson he taught me about how to be a hard worker. He taught me to never give up.
JM: He must be so incredibly proud of you right now. It reinforces the sacrifices he made.
Ruke Orhorhoro: Definitely. He’s very happy for me. It makes me happy. Every time he runs on the field after a game, he has the biggest smile on his face. I remember when I started playing football. My mom and dad, they hated it (laughs). They were so scared that I was going to get hurt. It was such a physical sport to them. They weren’t used to it.
At that time, I had just finished playing basketball. I was probably 190, maybe 200 pounds. I was so skinny going up against all of the big linemen that were playing football (laughs). My parents were terrified for me.
Seeing their attitude on football shift has been an amazing experience. My mom told me the other day, “Ruke, you made me love football.” That made me so happy. I made her love something that she knew nothing about. Now, she calls me talking about first downs, touchdowns, and my stats (laughs). It’s funny to hear them talk like that. That’s the main thing for me. It keeps me going.
JM: What an incredible transformation it’s been for them, and for you as well. You’ve had a great season in 2023. Which areas of your game have grown the most from last season to this year?
Ruke Orhorhoro: I appreciate you saying that. I’ve become a more versatile player. I’d point out my technique and pass-rushing ability as well. I personally think that I can play any position from the zero [tech] out to the nine. Not only can I play it, I think I can play all of those positions at a very high level.
I think I’ve highlighted that on tape this season. I’ve put a lot of great pass-rushing reps on film. I’ve shown that I can finish and defeat one-versus-one blocks. My technique has also taken a big step forward. I’m better with my hand usage now. I'm getting off blocks quicker. I’m more efficient with my footwork.
I’ve become more of a complete football player this year. That’s the main thing I wanted to focus on this season. I’ve worked hard on my hand placement and footwork. Those are the biggest things I’ve improved on this season.
JM: That brings me to my next question. You’re extremely alignment-versatile on tape. You’ve played 0-tech, 1-tech, 3-tech, and 5-tech. How do you expect that experience to help serve you well at the next level?
Ruke Orhorhoro: I think it’ll serve me well. It’ll be a tremendous help. I’m a guy that comes in and plays wherever you need me to play. I love it, honestly. I always joke with my teammates that I’m really a defensive end at heart (laughs). I try to work the same moves I used to work back in the day when I was smaller. It surprises me that I can still move that well. I move at a high level despite gaining weight over the years. I can move, bend, and dip. That’s a big thing for me.
JM: I’m partial to you playing the 3-tech, but which of those positions has been the best overall fit for you and why?
Ruke Orhorhoro: I would agree with you. I’d have to say the 3-tech. I’m very comfortable at every position, but I love that 3-tech spot. I love rushing the passer from that position. You’re closer to the ball. Everything that happens, the moves, they’re a lot quicker. I’d probably say the 3-tech.
JM: You’ve played with so many influential teammates that are currently in the NFL. I can spend the entire day listing names. Which had the biggest influence on you?
Ruke Orhorhoro: Probably TD [Tyler Davis]. When I first got here, I was 250 pounds. I was originally recruited as a defensive end. They moved me inside. Davis and I got thrown into the fire during our freshmen year. We came in in January and our older guys, Jordan Williams and Nyles Pinckney were hurt at the time.
Basically, Davis and I had to go play (laughs). The physicality of moving inside was a big difference for me at that time. Davis handled that move so easily. I tried to take parts of his game. I studied with him, I learned with him. In my opinion, he’s a genius. He knows everything. I tried to gravitate towards him. We’ve been close ever since. We always watch film together. I want to see what he sees on the field. He’s had the biggest influence on me.
JM: And with some of those older guys departing, you and Tyler Davis had to step into bigger roles and become more vocal leaders. How have you personally embraced that?
Ruke Orhorhoro: Coach Dabo Swinney always says stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. That’s what I did. I stayed ready, even during that freshmen season when I thought with 100% certainty that I wasn’t going to play many snaps (laughs). I still prepared like I was a starter. I still prepared like I was the first one out the tunnel.
I prepared like I was playing every snap. That’s how I approached the conditioning aspect during practice. I had to be fit enough to play every snap. I was studying extra tape knowing fully that I probably wasn’t going to play. I was going to be ready for whatever. When my number finally got called and the staff said, Ruke, it’s time, I was ready to go. I was ready to step up. It wasn’t a big shock to me because, in my mind, I was preparing like that during my entire time here.
When it was time to step up, it was easy for me. I had a great relationship with all of my teammates. I respect them and they respect me. I listen to them and they listen to me. There's mutual respect. It’s easy for me to go out there and lead those guys. I try to show them the right way.
JM: That’s outstanding. You have terrific size for the position at approximately 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds. How do you utilize size and power to your advantage on a snap-by-snap basis?
Ruke Orhorhoro: I try to switch up. Sometimes I use speed to get around blockers. I can use power to bull rush right through them and push the pocket backward. I feel like my versatility makes it harder for offensive linemen to latch onto me and my game. I can hit you with speed and power. Combining both of those things, utilizing those tools God blessed me with, makes it easier for me to defeat blocks in the passing game.
JM: You’ve taken steps forward as a pass rusher this year. We’ve touched on it already. How did that come about, and what are your go-to moves?
Ruke Orhorhoro: That’s all coach Nick Eason, man. Coach Eason played a big part in that. In the summer, he told me, dude, you have so much ability to rush the passer. We need to tap into that. He promised he was going to get that ability out of me one way or another. He kept adding more and more moves to my toolbox. From power moves to speed moves, coach Eason added so much to my pass-rushing arsenal. It made it easier for me to go out there and execute.
I’d probably say my best rush is the speed rush. My club-arm-over, my power rush, converting speed to power. Those are some of my favorites.
JM: This has been an outstanding conversation. We’re excited to continue monitoring your progress. I’ve appreciated your time. In closing, what are Ruke Orhorhoro’s goals moving forward?
Ruke Orhorhoro: We didn’t finish against South Carolina last season. It’s rivalry week [vs. South Carolina] so it’s a big week for our program. My goal is to finish as strong as I can. I’m going to let the chips fall where they may.
I try not to get caught up in everything else. I live in the now because the memories you have are the ones you’re living right now. I always try to live in the moment. We’ll see what happens.
