Clemson DT Hears Name Called in Second Round of NFL Draft

This former Clemson defensive tackle now has a home in the National Football League.

Ruke Orhorhoro heard his name called early during Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday night, as he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round with the No. 35 overall pick.

Orhorhoro becomes the second Clemson product selected in this year’s draft, joining cornerback Nate Wiggins, who was taken in the first round (30th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens.

Clemson has now extended its streak of consecutive drafts with multiple selections. Clemson came into this year’s draft as one of only seven schools to have produced multiple draft picks in each of the last 21 NFL Drafts (Florida, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio State and USC).

Orhorhoro registered 12 career sacks and earned All-ACC honors in his final season at Clemson in 2023.

Along with a dozen career sacks, Orhorhoro was credited with 97 tackles (25.5 for loss), nine pass breakups and two fumble recoveries over 53 games (30 starts) from 2019-23.

The 6-foot-4, 294-pounder was a third-team all-conference selection last season, when he tallied 22 tackles (8.0 for loss), a career-high 5.0 sacks and a pass breakup across 12 games (all starts).

Longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. sees a bright NFL future for Orhorhoro and explained why he regards him as one of the top defensive tackles in this year’s draft class.

“He ran great for a big guy (at the NFL Combine). He’s athletic. He wants to be great, and he’s just touched the surface of what he can be,” Kiper said ahead of the draft.

“I think when you look at Ruke Orhorhoro, the best is yet to come,” Kiper added. “That’s what defensive line coaches want, somebody that they know they can coach up, if he has the work ethic and the passion for the game, and that great skill set.”

Orhorhoro enrolled at Clemson in January 2019 after playing high school football in Michigan and becoming the first Clemson football signee from that state since Joe Carolan in 1975.

The athletic Orhorhoro played basketball as a youth and in high school but played just two years of high school football. He was born in Nigeria before coming to the United States when he was nine, and did not play his first football game until the fall of 2017.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!