The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MEET THE DRAFT PICKS
FIRST ROUND (8TH OVERALL ) – MICHAEL PENIX JR.
Age: 24. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 212. Arms: 33 7/8. Hands: 10 1/2. 40-yard dash:
4.6 at Washington Pro Day. Hometown: Cookeville, Tennessee. Moved and was raised in Dade City, Florida. Overview: He had a private workout with the Falcons, He’s considered the best deep-ball passer in the QB class. He started his career at Indiana. He redshirted in 2018 after playing in three games. In 2019, he started six games for the Hoosiers. He missed the rest of the year with an injury to his right shoulder (non-throwing). In 2020, he was second-team All-Big Ten but tore his ACL versus Maryland in November and missed the rest of the season. In 2021, he played five games and completed 87 of 162 passes (53.7%) for 939 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions. Missed the end of the season after separating the left (throwing) shoulder. He had two spectacular seasons after transferring to Washington. He guided the Huskies to the College Football Playoff title game. He won the Maxwell Award as the nation’s top player.
SECOND ROUND (35TH OVERALL ) – RUKE ORHORHORO
Age: 22. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 294. Arms: 34. Hands: 9 3/8. 40-yard dash:
4.89. 10-yard split: 1.67. Vertical jump: 32 inches. Broad jump:
9-8. Bench press: 225 pounds 29 times. Hometown: Born in Lagos, Nigeria , moved to Detroit at age of 8. Overview: Orhorhoro played high school football in Michigan and became the first Clemson signee from the state since 1975 (Joe Carolan). He played only two years of high school football and was ranked as the 15th best player in the state by 247Sports.com. He earned All-ACC honors last season. He was credited with 97 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, nine pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in 1,526 career snaps over 53 games, which included 30 starts from 2019-23. He played five offensive snaps in Clemson’s jumbo packet over his career. He has a 6.25 grade from NFL.com, which translates to projecting to one day becoming an average starter. One of his weaknesses is that he hasn’t learn how to convert his speed to power when rushing.
THIRD ROUND (74TH OVERALL ) – BRALEN TRICE
Age: 23. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 274. Arms: 32 1/2 inches. Hands: 9 inches. 40yard dash: 4.72. Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona. Overview: He was one of four captains last season as voted on by his teammates. He was first team All-American (Pro Football Focus) and first-team All-Pac-12. He started each game last season as the Huskies reached the College Football Playoff Championship game. He was named defensive MVP of the Sugar Bowl after getting five tackles, three tackles for losses, two sacks and a forced fumble. He had three tackles against Michigan in the title game. For the second year in a row, Trice was named the school’s defensive MVP at the team’s postseason awards banquet.
FOURTH ROUND (109TH OVERALL ) – BRANDON DORLUS
Age: 23. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 283. Arms: 33 1/4. Hands: 9 3/8. 40-yard dash:
4.85. 10-yard split: 1.68. Vertical jump: 30.5. Broad jump: 9 feet, 3 inches. Three-cone drill: 7.43. 20-yard shuttle: 4.85. Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Overview: He made the first-team All-Pac 12 team twice and was a second-team pick one season. A disruptive player who spent a lot of time in the backfield.“I feel like I can play the run very well,” Dorlus said. He played 52 games for the Ducks. He finished with 108 tackles, 27 tackles for losses and 12 sacks. He had 14 pass breakups and one fumble recovery of his career. He used to trained with former Falcons defensive lineman Chuck Smith.“He was a pro guy, who played in the league,”Dorlus said.“I feel like he just developed my moves.”