AUGUST CAMP: Ruke Orhorhoro Update
By: Paul Strelow
Clemson’s preseason camp remains in motion as focus shifts toward preparing for the Sept. 12 season opener at Wake Forest.
In this August Camp series, Tigerillustrated.com divulges the latest developments with specific players as they seek to solidify spots on the coaching staff’s internal depth chart and game plan.
RUKE ORHORHORO
Height: 6-4
Weight: 296
Year: Sophomore
Position: Defensive tackle
WHAT WE ARE HEARING
Clemson brought in volume at defensive tackle with the 2019 class to restock the cupboard. Time will tell, though, whether a couple of the options were out-recruited with a banner 2020 class that isn’t necessarily ready right now.
Ruke Orhorhoro avoided a redshirt last fall, drawing work in 10 games (84 snaps). (Dawson Powers - Tigerillustrated.com)
Tyler Davis is a fixture, of course. But Orhorhoro has separated as the next-best in the second-year bunch, increasingly by default.
He will probably always be measured next to fellow classmate Etinosa Reuben, a fellow Nigerian who likewise had relatively minimal football background. Orhorhoro arrived more of a developmental prospect than Reuben but has progressed faster.
FOCAL POINTS
As stated, we could list learning how to use their hands as a leading to-do item for just about every young defensive line player. But that was particularly the case for Orhorhoro, who came equipped as much as a bigger body with the frame and agility to be molded into an interior tackle.
Orhorhoro spent the offseason as much honing his mass and building strength, which he couldn’t quite work on during last season because he had to be prepped to play on Saturdays and not partake in the Power Hour conditioning program.
He put on about five pounds and is close to the desired 300-pound range.
OUR SEASON OUTLOOK FOR ORHORHORO
By last season’s end, Orhorhoro had surpassed Darnell Jefferies as the fourth defensive tackle.
(From L to R): Orhorhoro stands alongside Darnell Jefferies during a spring practice. (Dawson Powers - Tigerillustrated.com)
Davis and Jordan Williams have established leading roles, with Nyles Pinckney factoring into the mix as well.
While our sense is that any gap between Orhorhoro and Jefferies is negligible, the greater issue is freshman Bryan Bresee coming in the rearview mirror.
Venables said Saturday that if Orhorhoro can improve a little bit fundamentally, he can be used on any down.
The increase in competition figures to push the defensive tackles to have better depth than a year ago, if for no other reason than Orhorhoro will have to rise to another level to stay in the conversation.
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE to check out all of our inventory, plus early summer DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel!
By: Paul Strelow
Clemson’s preseason camp remains in motion as focus shifts toward preparing for the Sept. 12 season opener at Wake Forest.
In this August Camp series, Tigerillustrated.com divulges the latest developments with specific players as they seek to solidify spots on the coaching staff’s internal depth chart and game plan.
RUKE ORHORHORO
Height: 6-4
Weight: 296
Year: Sophomore
Position: Defensive tackle
WHAT WE ARE HEARING
Clemson brought in volume at defensive tackle with the 2019 class to restock the cupboard. Time will tell, though, whether a couple of the options were out-recruited with a banner 2020 class that isn’t necessarily ready right now.
Ruke Orhorhoro avoided a redshirt last fall, drawing work in 10 games (84 snaps). (Dawson Powers - Tigerillustrated.com)
Tyler Davis is a fixture, of course. But Orhorhoro has separated as the next-best in the second-year bunch, increasingly by default.
He will probably always be measured next to fellow classmate Etinosa Reuben, a fellow Nigerian who likewise had relatively minimal football background. Orhorhoro arrived more of a developmental prospect than Reuben but has progressed faster.
FOCAL POINTS
As stated, we could list learning how to use their hands as a leading to-do item for just about every young defensive line player. But that was particularly the case for Orhorhoro, who came equipped as much as a bigger body with the frame and agility to be molded into an interior tackle.
Orhorhoro spent the offseason as much honing his mass and building strength, which he couldn’t quite work on during last season because he had to be prepped to play on Saturdays and not partake in the Power Hour conditioning program.
He put on about five pounds and is close to the desired 300-pound range.
OUR SEASON OUTLOOK FOR ORHORHORO
By last season’s end, Orhorhoro had surpassed Darnell Jefferies as the fourth defensive tackle.
(From L to R): Orhorhoro stands alongside Darnell Jefferies during a spring practice. (Dawson Powers - Tigerillustrated.com)
Davis and Jordan Williams have established leading roles, with Nyles Pinckney factoring into the mix as well.
While our sense is that any gap between Orhorhoro and Jefferies is negligible, the greater issue is freshman Bryan Bresee coming in the rearview mirror.
Venables said Saturday that if Orhorhoro can improve a little bit fundamentally, he can be used on any down.
The increase in competition figures to push the defensive tackles to have better depth than a year ago, if for no other reason than Orhorhoro will have to rise to another level to stay in the conversation.
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE to check out all of our inventory, plus early summer DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel!
