2015 Senior Bowl Interview – OLB Nate Orchard

Nate Orchard – OLB (Utah)

Measurables:  Hgt:  6’3”

Wgt:  251lbs.

Hand:  10 1/8”

Arm:  33”

PROFILE:

All-American his Senior year … won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end … set a Utah single-season record with 18.5 sacks … led the nation in sacks per game (1.46) … finished fourth in the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.6) and fifth in total tackles for loss (21.0).

On what it means to him to have been invited to play in the Senior Bowl

Oh man, it’s a huge honor. You look back in the day, the names that have been a part of this bowl, it’s a huge honor.  Words can’t express how grateful I am to be here.

On what one or two things he really wants to showcase to scouts here at the Senior Bowl

My versatility. Being able to drop back in coverage and rush the passer. Having my hand down on the ground and playing the run really well.

On what areas he thinks he needs to work on as he goes through this draft process

Holding my ground on the run and dropping back in coverage. Those are kinda the two things that I lacked a little bit and just need to improve more.

On what kind of feedback he has been getting from scouts as to whether they see him as more of a down guy or one who can be versatile

A little bit of both. Some teams say if I can bulk up a little bit I can play with my hand down. But then there’s 3-4 teams that like me at outside linebacker. So getting a little bit of both in feedback right now.

On what advice his college coaches gave him about entering the draft process

Enjoy it. You only get drafted once and the moment will fly by really fast. Just relish it, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

On his Senior Bowl experience of working with NFL coaches for the first time

It’s great.  It’s a huge honor to be here and be a part of this – working with them. The Titans have been great to us.  My defensive line coach, Coach Smith, he’s awesome, his assistant has been great to us. Loving every second.

On how he approaches the fact that there are a lot of good pass rushers at the Senior Bowl with whom he is competing but yet for this one week they are also his teammates

I’m used to it. I’ve had it over the years at Utah with Trevor Reilly there. This year with Hunter Dimick. Hunter was a great competitor. Being here with all these guys, the best in the nation. I know you’re on the same team, but at the same time you want to do your job and just be successful.

On who was the best offensive lineman he went up against in college

I wish I could actually give you his name, but he was the left tackle at Colorado, I want to say two years ago and he’s playing for the Green Bay Packers now, starting for them. He was definitely the best. (David Bakhtiari)

On what he will bring to an NFL team beyond the technical/fundamental aspects of the game

Passion and energy. I love my job, I love what I’m doing. You know, there’s guys who love it but at the same time dread it. I live and breathe it every second. I take advantage of every opportunity and every moment that I’m playing this game.