Anthony Orange, previously named A. J. Jefferson (born April 4, 1988), is a former Canadian football cornerback. He played college football at Fresno State. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2010.

Anthony Orange
refer to caption
Orange in the 2014 preseason.
No. 20, 24, 26
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1988-04-04) April 4, 1988 (age 36)
Bakersfield, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:West (Bakersfield, California)
College:Fresno State (2006–2009)
Undrafted:2010
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:109
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:19
Interceptions:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Career CFL statistics
Total tackles:149
Interceptions:11
Defensive touchdowns:2
Stats at CFL.ca

Early life and college career

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Orange was born and raised in Bakersfield, California and graduated from West High School of Bakersfield in 2006. He began playing football at an early age but didn't play his junior year of high school. He played wide receiver and defensive back and earned first-team all-area selection as defensive back.[1] Orange was a high school teammate of Ryan Mathews.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
A. J. Jefferson
WR
Bakersfield, California West HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Feb 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 96 (school)   Rivals: 83 (school)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2006 Fresno St. Football Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  • "2006 Fresno State College Football Team Recruiting Prospects". Scout.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  • "2006 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.

Orange then attended California State University, Fresno.[2] From 2006 to 2009, He played four seasons on the Fresno State Bulldogs football team.[1]

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Orange was invited to the 2010 Scouting Combine and was predicted as a 4th to 5th round draft pick.

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)
193 lb
(88 kg)
4.34 s 1.56 s 1.55 s 4.00 s 6.72 s 44 in
(1.12 m)
10 ft 6 in
(3.20 m)
7 reps
[3][4]

Arizona Cardinals

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On April 27, 2010, the Arizona Cardinals signed 10 players, one of whom was the undrafted Orange.[5]

Minnesota Vikings

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Orange in 2012.

On August 31, 2012, the Minnesota Vikings traded for Orange with the Cardinals for an undisclosed number of draft picks.[6] This trade was later finalized with Arizona receiving one 6th round pick in the 2013 NFL draft (Tennessee's by way of Minnesota) in return for Orange and Arizona's 7th Round pick in 2013.[7][8]

Seattle Seahawks

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Orange signed with the Seattle Seahawks on May 2, 2014.[9] The Seahawks placed him on injured reserve on August 26, 2014.[10]

Toronto Argonauts

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Orange signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on May 26, 2015.[11] In two seasons with the Argos he played in 30 games and accumulated 91 defensive tackles, 6 interceptions, 5 special teams tackles and 2 touchdowns. 1 being a punt return against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Following the 2016 season he was not re-signed by the Argonauts, rendering him a free-agent.

Ottawa Redblacks

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On February 14, 2017, the first day of CFL free agency, Orange signed with the Ottawa Redblacks (CFL).[12] He was released by the club only 3 games into the 2017 season.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

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Orange signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL) on July 18, 2017.[13] He was released without playing a game on September 11, 2017.[14]

Edmonton Eskimos

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Following multiple injuries in their defensive secondary, the Edmonton Eskimos signed Orange on September 13, 2017.[15]

BC Lions

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Orange signed with the BC Lions on February 13, 2018, to a one-year contract.[16] After a rough start to the season, including a 3–6 record and Orange committing a poorly timed penalty contributing to a loss,[17] Orange stepped up his play, recording a career high in tackles, as well as interceptions with 5. The Lions finished the year by going 6–3, making the playoffs, and Orange was given both divisional and league All-Star recognition.

Edmonton Eskimos (II)

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Upon reaching free agency, Orange returned to Edmonton for the 2019 season, one of numerous marquee free agents to sign in Edmonton.[18] He was released on February 1, 2020.[19]

NFL statistics

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Year Team GP COMB TOTAL AST SACK FF FR FR YDS INT IR YDS AVG IR LNG TD PD
2010 ARI 2 1 0 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2011 ARI 16 66 60 6 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 12
2012 MIN 15 37 34 3 0.0 0 1 -2 0 0 0 0 0 5
2013 MIN 10 5 5 0 0.0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1
Career 43 109 99 10 0.0 0 1 0 2 1 1 1 0 19

[20]

Domestic Violence

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In November 2013, Orange was arrested for felony domestic assault by strangulation.[21] Police were called to his home early in the morning after Orange reportedly strangled his girlfriend and subsequently threw her on the floor while yelling that she had ignored his text messages.[22] Orange pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic assault and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, reduced to 3 days time served.[21] Orange was released by the Minnesota Vikings on the day of his arrest but was signed by the Seattle Seahawks in May 2014 following his guilty plea.[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b "A.J. Jefferson". Fresno State Bulldogs. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "A.J. Jefferson". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  3. ^ "A.J. Jefferson Stats, News & Video - CB | NFL.com". www.nfl.com.
  4. ^ "AJ Jefferson". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017.
  5. ^ "2020 Arizona Cardinals Transactions". ESPN.
  6. ^ Silva, Evan. "Vikings trade for cornerback A.J. Jefferson". Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  7. ^ "Vikings end up with nine draft picks, including their own 6th-rounder | 1500 ESPN Twin Cities – Minnesota Sports News & Opinion (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild, Gophers) | Sportswire: Minnesota Vikings". Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  8. ^ Gates, Christopher. "Vikings Finalize 2013 NFL Draft Selections". Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  9. ^ Gantt, Darin. "Seahawks sign cornerback A.J. Jefferson". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  10. ^ "Seahawks reach 75-man roster by making moves with injured players". Archived from the original on August 27, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  11. ^ "Argos Sign Six on Eve of Rookie & QBS Camp | Toronto Argonauts". Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  12. ^ "REDBLACKS sign DB A.J. Jefferson". Ottawa REDBLACKS. February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  13. ^ "Riders sign free agent CB A.J. Jefferson". CFL.ca. July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  14. ^ Dunk, Justin (September 13, 2017). "Eskimos agree to terms with DB A.J. Jefferson day after Riders release".
  15. ^ "Eskimos Transaction". September 13, 2017.
  16. ^ "Lions ink DB A.J. Jefferson through 2018". February 13, 2018.
  17. ^ "Orange has Lions coach seeing red after loss to Stamps - 3DownNation". August 5, 2018.
  18. ^ "Anthony Orange changes colours; signs with Esks". February 12, 2019.
  19. ^ "Esks release DB Anthony Orange". CFL.ca. February 1, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  20. ^ "A.J. Jefferson Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  21. ^ a b c Michael Martinez; Priscilla Riojas. "NFL's past penalties for domestic violence". CNN. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  22. ^ Stromberg, Joseph (September 9, 2014). "Ray Rice was indefinitely suspended. Why weren't these players?". Vox. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
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