The Pittsburgh Steelers had Utah outside linebacker prospect Nate Orchard in for a pre-draft visit last week and apparently it went very well
According to a recent post in his online draft diary, Orchard, who recorded 18.5 sacks last season, was very happy that he got to spend time with Steelers linebackers coach Joey Porter,.
“It was a huge honor just to sit there and watch film with Coach Porter, and he was very interested in me,” writes Orchard. “He loved me as a player and the things I was doing on the field and especially off the field. They were very happy with the way I handled situations in my upbringing.”
Orchard also wrote that he met with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert while in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers are certain to draft an outside linebacker in the first three rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft and if they pass on one in the first round, Orchard might very well still be on the board come time for their second round pick.
The Steelers knew plenty about Orchard prior to bringing him in for a visit as the 6-3, 250-pounder also played in the Senior Bowl at the conclusion of the 2014 season and reportedly met with the team in some capacity at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine.
In 2014, Orchard was the recipient of the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation’s top defensive end. he started 36-of-50 games at Utah with 23 coming at left defensive end and 13 on the right side. During his college career, he recorded 186 tackles (111 solos) with 25 sacks for minus 158 yards, 39.5 stops for losses of 207 yards and four quarterback pressures. Orchard also caused eight fumbles and recovered five others.
