Clemson’s Orhorhoro to enter NFL draft, forgo Gator Bowl
Clemson’s defense is going to look a bit different in the Gator Bowl.
Defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro announced on Monday his intention to enter the 2024 NFL Draft and opt out of the Tigers’ Dec. 29 bowl game against Kentucky, becoming the third Clemson player to do so.
Orhorhoro, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound redshirt senior from Lagos, Nigeria, started every game this season and was credited with 22 tackles, with a careerhigh five sacks, third-best on the team. He tied for fourth on the team with eight tackles for loss and earned third-team All-ACC honors for a second consecutive season.
Orhorhoro finished his college career having played in 53 games, including 30 starts. He amassed 97 career tackles, including 25.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and nine pass breakups.
“It’s time to chase my dreams and do what I’ve set out to do for years and declare for the 2024 NFL Draft,” Orhorhoro posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He joins teammates Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a first-team All-ACC linebacker and Butkus Award finalist, and first-team All-ACC cornerback Nate Wiggins in declaring for the NFL draft.
Clemson led the ACC in total defense and passing yards allowed, led the nation in defensive touchdowns (five) and ranked among the top-8 nationally in five other defensive categories.
The Tigers (8-4) and Kentucky (7-5) will play on Dec. 29 (noon ET, ESPN) in Jacksonville, Florida.
Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ScottKeepfer