Brian Orakpo Biography

Rak is on the hunt for QBs and recognition as he leads the Texas Longhorns defense

Brian Orakpo: High School

As a three-year letterman at Lamar High School, Brian Orakpo struck fear into the hearts of quarterbacks from all over the Lone Star State. Unable to be contained by a single blocker, Brian Orakpo was able to disrupt offenses by himself. Brian Orakpo also racked up sacks in bunches and proved to be a clutch player in the Texas High School playoffs. The three years of dominance on the prep level caught the eyes of Texas Longhorns coach Mack Brown and soon Brian Orakpo was on his way to Austin.

Brian Orakpo: 2005 Texas Longhorns

As a redshirt freshman in 2005, Brian Orakpo joined a stout Texas Longhorns defensive line that featured future NFL talents like Frank Okam, Tim Crowder, and Brian Robison. Even with all that talent ahead of him, defensive genius Mark Chizik made sure to utilize the young Brian Orakpo. In blowout games and in nickel situations, Brian Orakpo saw action and even grabbed a start. The young defensive end had the experience of a lifetime when he played against the USC Trojans in the 2006 Rose Bowl which saw the Texas Longhorns win the BCS Championship.

Brian Orakpo: 2006 Texas Longhorns

Brian Orakpo still found himself on the depth chart behind Brian Robison and Tim Crowder but also saw significant playing time in passing situations. Brian Orakpo flashed his potential as a pass rusher when he racked up 4.5 sacks on the year. Brian Orakpo showed a new dimension that turned a lot of heads when he started producing a ton of tackles for loss. A key stat for a defensive end wanting to grow into the complete package, Brian Orakpo was on his way to being a beast for the Texas Longhorns.

Brian Orakpo: 2007 Texas Longhorns

Finally, Brian Orakpo stood atop the depth chart, and fans with Texas Longhorns tickets quickly became acquainted with the pass rusher known as “Rak”. With big DT Frank Okam drawing double teams all day, Brian Orakpo was free to roam and get after the quarterback. The dual threat on the defensive line helped the Texas Longhorns defense become one of the best in the NCAA that had college football fans lining up for Texas Longhorns tickets.

Brian Orakpo suffered a knee injury but played through the pain and impressed coaches and his fans. Brian Orakpo had his coming out party at the Holiday Bowl where he won the MVP award while leading the defeat of the No. 12 ranked Arizona State Sun Devils with multiple sacks, QB pressures, and tackles for loss. The success made Brian Orakpo a quick favorite of fans with Texas Longhorns tickets and all eyes were on Brian Orakpo heading into his senior season.

Brian Orakpo: 2008 Texas Longhorns

A preseason All-American and on several key defensive award watch lists, Brian Orakpo was under a magnifying glass as the Texas Longhorns began their season ranked No. 10 in the nation. Fully healthy and ready to rock, Brian Orakpo was unleashed on the NCAA and showed no mercy. Brian Orakpo snagged several sacks, even while being double teamed and hit with chip blocks. All of this effort has made Brian Orakpo the favorite player of fans with Texas Longhorns tickets.

Brian Orakpo made his case as the best defensive lineman in football as he factored big in the Texas Longhorns upset victory over the Oklahoma Sooners. Matched up against one of the best LTs in the country in Phil Loadholt, Brian Orakpo destroyed the Oklahoma Sooners offense and sacked Heisman hopeful Sam Bradford twice. When he couldn’t reach Sam Bradford, Brian Orakpo still got pressure and disrupted plays. The NCAA season is only half over and already Brian Orakpo has recorded eight sacks, double-digit tackles for loss, and almost 20 QB hurries.

Brian Orakpo: No. 1 Texas Longhorns

Colt McCoy and his Heisman Trophy hunt might sell Texas Longhorns tickets, but the biggest reason for the success of the Texas Longhorns is Brian Orakpo and the Texas Longhorns defense. With QBs ahead like Chase Daniel, Graham Harrell, Todd Reesing, and Zac Robinson ahead in the long dogfight of the Big 12, pressure on the QB has never been a bigger priority. If the Texas Longhorns want to win the BCS Championship, then Brian Orakpo must play to his full potential.