Anfernee Chikezie Orji (born October 6, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Vanderbilt.
| No. 58 – New Orleans Saints | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | October 6, 2000 Dallas, Texas, U.S. | ||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Rockwall (TX) | ||||
| College: | Vanderbilt (2019–2022) | ||||
| Undrafted: | 2023 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| |||||
| Roster status: | Active | ||||
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2024 | |||||
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Early life
editOrji grew up in Rockwall, Texas and attended Rockwall High School.[1] He was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Vanderbilt.[2]
College career
editOrji played in nine games and made six tackles during his freshman season at Vanderbilt.[3] He recorded 66 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and two passes broken up during his sophomore season.[4] Orji led the Commodores with 93 tackles with 13 tackles for loss as a junior.[5] He led the team in tackles for a second straight year as a senior with 106.[6]
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
230 lb (104 kg) |
32 in (0.81 m) |
10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) |
4.53 s | 1.54 s | 2.57 s | 4.43 s | 7.00 s | 38.5 in (0.98 m) |
10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) | ||
| All values from NFL Combine[7][8] | ||||||||||||
Orji signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2023.[9] He was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.[10][11] Following the end of the 2023 regular season, the Saints signed him to a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.[12]
Personal life
editOrji has two brothers, Alex and Alston.[13] Alex plays quarterback at the University of Michigan.[13] Alston played linebacker at Vanderbilt (2018-2021) and Campbell (2022).[14]
References
edit- ^ "Whataburger Super Team Spotlight: Rockwall's Anfernee Orji". Dave Campbell's Texas Football. February 25, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ "Rockwall 3-star DB Anfernee Orji commits to join his brother at Vanderbilt". Dallas Morning News. July 6, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ Katz, Jason (April 9, 2023). "Anfernee Orji, LB, Vanderbilt: NFL Draft Scouting Report". ProFootballNetwork.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ "These Vanderbilt football players could get picked in future NFL Draft". The Tennessean. May 3, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ Rexrode, Joe (May 8, 2022). "Vanderbilt football seeks progress in Year 2 under Clark Lea after 'humble beginnings'". The Athletic. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ Weinstein, Robbie (April 20, 2023). "Former Vanderbilt LB Anfernee Orji boosts NFL Draft stock with impressive offseason". 247Sports.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ "Anfernee Orji Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Anfernee Orji College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints agree to terms with 11 undrafted free agents". neworleanssaints.com. April 30, 2023.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 29, 2023.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints announce practice squad additions". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 30, 2023.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints sign 11 to reserve/future contracts". NewOrleansSaints.com. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ a b "Rivals.com - Alex Orji continuing family tradition of top prospects". n.rivals.com. September 26, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "Alston Orji Biography". ESPN. Retrieved January 12, 2024.