Ruke Orhorhoro’s early career ‘insanity’ sparked journey to 2024 NFL Draft hope
NY Post
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Moving from Nigeria to England to Michigan by the time he was 9 — with basketball as his first love — only to turn to football late in high school doesn’t exactly yield outstanding odds for becoming a big name at a Power Five program, let alone be a top name in the 2024 NFL Draft.
That is the unlikely path of Ruke Orhorhoro, who, by joining football late, was forced to be a student of the game and develop his do-whatever-it takes” attitude.
“This is so crazy,” Orhorhoro said in a phone interview with The Post. “I’ve been having so much time to just reflect on how I got my feet where they are today and it’s so crazy to me that just me making the decision to maybe just give this sport a try, it could get me here.”
The former Clemson defensive tackle fell in love with football after he was exposed to it in Michigan, but his mom kept him playing basketball — and away from football — in fear of his safety because of his “lanky” frame.
He was a sharpshooter and averaged a double-double on the court during his sophomore year of high school, but as Orhorhoro grew, the more he was drawn to football. Eventually, he made the decision to switch.