a unanimous first-team All-American, after receiving first-team honors from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was the first Texas Longhorn defensive end to earn All-American honors since Tony Brackens in 1995. In his college career, Orakpo recorded 132 tackles, 22 sacks, 38 tackles for loss, 62 pressures, six passes broken up, six forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Professional career Orakpo attended the NFL Combine with much anticipation due to his well-known reputation as a "workout warrior". His 31 reps in the bench press ranked second among all defensive ends and seventh best among all defensive linemen. His 39.5-inch vertical jump was second for all defensive lineman, and he showed his speed and acceleration while recording a 4.63 40-yard dash time. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Orakpo was projected to be a first round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked the best defensive end/outside linebacker prospect in the draft by NFL analyst Bucky Brooks, was ranked the second best defensive end by DraftScout.com, and was ranked the second best outside linebacker in the draft by NFL analyst Mike Mayock. Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins selected Orakpo in the first round (13th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. Orakpo was the third defensive end drafted in 2009. 2009 season: Rookie year On July 31, 2009, the Washington Redskins signed Orakpo to a five-year, $15.33 million contract that included $11.69 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $6.36 million. Head coach Jim Zorn named Orakpo the starting strongside linebacker to begin the regular season, along with Rocky McIntosh and middle linebacker London Fletcher. Orakpo made his NFL debut and first start in the season-opener against the New York Giants and recorded two solo tackles in a 23–17 road loss. During Week 3, he recorded four combined tackles and made his first NFL sack during a 19–14 loss at the Detroit Lions. Orakpo made his first career sack on quarterback Matthew Stafford for an eight-yard loss in the third quarter. In the next game, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles and a sack in a 16–13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During Week 14, Orakpo made six combined tackles and a season-high four sacks as the Redskins defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score 34–13. Orakpo had a sack