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Texas Football: 10 Former Longhorns to Watch this NFL Season

By Tyler Brett

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Fans in the Texas student section cheer during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas won 50-47 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Fans in the Texas student section cheer during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas won 50-47 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) celebrates after sacking Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) celebrates after sacking Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Brian Orakpo continues to be a strong defensive presence in the NFL. The seven-year veteran will look to continue his strong play and defensive leadership for the Tennessee Titans in 2016.

Back in his college days, Orakpo enjoyed tremendous success at Texas. As a redshirt freshman in 2005, Orakpo played a key role in the Longhorns’ last National Championship, earning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and First-Team Freshman All-America honors. As a senior in 2008, Orakpo was a dominant force on the field, recording 40 tackles and 11 sacks. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American while taking home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Ted Hendricks Award, Lombardi Award, and the Bill Willis Trophy.

That dominance translated into the NFL where Washington took Orakpo as the No. 13 overall pick in the 2009 draft. Since entering the league, the outside linebacker has been to the Pro Bowl three times (2009, 2010, 2013) and recorded at least 50 tackles and seven sacks in every season that he’s played more than half his team’s games. For the Titans, Orakpo must step up and lead an unproven defense looking to get Tennessee out of the AFC South cellar.

Tennessee opens their season at home against Minnesota this Sunday.

Next: 4. Jamaal Charles, RB Kansas City Chiefs

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