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The University of Utah Athletics
Nate Orchard Drafted in Second Round by Cleveland
5/1/2015 12:00 AM | Football
May 1, 2015
CHICAGO - Utah defensive end/outside linebacker Nate Orchard was a second-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 NFL Draft on Friday.
Orchard, the 51st overall pick, will join former Ute Paul Kruger on the Cleveland defense. He is the fourth former Utah player to be selected by the franchise and the first since Willie Armstead went in the 13th round in 1975.
Orchard is the second former Ute to go in the second round of this year's draft, joining cornerback/safety Eric Rowe, who was also taken in the second round by Philadelphia (47th overall). Twelve former Utes have now been selected in the second round of the NFL Draft in school history.
Zane Beadles (selected by Denver) and Koa Misi (selected by Miami) were also second-round choices in the same season (2010), which was also the last time Utah players were taken in the second round.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 250 pounds, Orchard is viewed by NFL.com as a versatile pass rusher who will fit in at either defensive end or outside linebacker at the next level.
In the 2015 Senior Bowl, Orchard was named the North's Most Outstanding Player after recording five tackles and two quarterback hits.
During his senior season at Utah, Orchard was a first-team All-American, Ted Hendricks Award and Morris Award winner in 2014 after leading the nation in sacks per game (1.46) and finishing second in total sacks (18.5).
As a three-year starter for the Utes, Orchard finished his career tied for third in school history in career sacks (25). He registered 38.5 career tackles for loss to tie for the second-most ever by a Ute.
Seven former Utes are either defensive ends or linebackers on current NFL rosters: Joe Kruger (Pittsburgh), Paul Kruger (Cleveland), Koa Misi (Miami), Tenny Palepoi (San Diego), Trevor Reilly (New York Jets), Derrick Shelby (Miami) and Stevenson Sylvester (Buffalo).
Rnd 2, Pick 51: #Browns
DE Nate Orchard, @Utah_Football
#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/4Rt2S22Tzb
-- CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) May 2, 2015
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