Brian Ndubisi Orakpo is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Texas, was recognized as a unanimous All-American, and was drafted by the Washington Redskins with the thirteenth overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. He also played for Tennessee Titans, and was selected to four Pro Bowls.
Orakpo in 2022
Orakpo as a Texas Longhorn.
Orakpo during a Redskins' preseason game in 2009.
Orakpo with the Washington Redskins in 2014
The 2009 NFL draft was the 74th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York, on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day, starting at 4:00 pm EDT, and five rounds on the second day, starting at 10:00 am EDT. To compensate for the time change from the previous year and in an effort to help shorten the draft, teams were no longer on the clock for 15 minutes in the first round and 10 minutes in the second round. Each team now had 10 minutes to make their selection in the first round and seven minutes in the second round. Rounds three through seven were shortened to five minutes per team. This was the first year that the NFL used this format and it was changed again the following year for the 2010 NFL draft. The 2009 NFL draft was televised by both NFL Network and ESPN and was the first to have cheerleaders. The Detroit Lions, who became the first team in NFL history to finish a season at 0–16, used the first selection in the draft to select University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.
First overall pick Matthew Stafford is the fastest quarterback to reach 40,000 passing yards in NFL history and led the Los Angeles Rams to a victory in Super Bowl LVI.
Linebacker Brian Orakpo, taken 13th overall, was a 4-time Pro Bowl selection.
Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, drafted 14th overall, won two Super Bowls with two different teams and was named to 3 Pro Bowls.
Linebacker Clay Matthews III, picked 26th overall, is a member of the Matthews family of football players and was one of the league's premier pass-rushers throughout his career.