Chris Orr
refer to caption
Orr at Wisconsin in 2016
No. 54 – Birmingham Stallions
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-06-17) June 17, 1997 (age 26)
DeSoto, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:DeSoto High School (DeSoto, Texas)
College:Wisconsin
Undrafted:2020
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Chris Orr (born June 17, 1997) is an American football linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played for the Wisconsin Badgers in college and for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL).

Early years

During his career at DeSoto High School, Orr had 374 total tackles, 13 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three defensive TDs.[1]

College career

During his first season with Wisconsin, Orr played in 10 games and made 6 starts. In those games, he registered 46 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and had 0.5 sacks.[2] During his second season with Wisconsin, Orr appeared in 1 game and made one start, but he suffered a season-ending torn ACL on his first defensive snap of the season.[2] During his third season with Wisconsin, Orr played in 12 games and made 8 starts. In those games, he made 36 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, had 2 sacks, and had 1 interception.[2] During his junior season at Wisconsin, Orr played in all 13 games and made 1 start. In those games, he had 27 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception. He also won the team's Special Teams Player of the Year award during this season.[2]

During his senior season at Wisconsin, Orr played in and started all 14 games. In those games, as a team captain, he had 78 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks. He also had 8 quarterback hurries, broke up 5 passes and forced 2 fumbles. His 11.5 sacks during this season were the most in a season by an inside/middle linebacker in school history, and he helped lead his team to a single-season school record 51 sacks as a team.[2]

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

Orr went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft. On April 30, 2020, Orr was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent.[3] He was waived on September 5, 2020,[4] and signed to the practice squad the next day.[5] He was elevated to the active roster on October 3 and November 14 for the team's weeks 4 and 10 games against the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[6][7] He was signed to the active roster on November 21, 2020.[8] Orr was waived on December 12, 2020,[9] and re-signed to the practice squad three days later.[10] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 4, 2021.[11] He was waived on May 24, 2021.[12]

New Jersey Generals

Orr was drafted by the New Jersey Generals in the 21st round of the 2022 USFL draft.[13] He was transferred to the team's inactive roster on May 20, 2022, with a knee injury.[14][15]

Orr re-signed with the Generals on July 14, 2023.[16] The Generals folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[17]

Birmingham Stallions

On January 5, 2024, Orr was selected by the Birmingham Stallions during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.[18]

Coaching career

Before Orr was drafted by the New Jersey Generals, he was the Wisconsin Director of Player Development.[19]

Personal life

Orr's father is two-time Super Bowl champion and former Washington Redskins tight end Terry Orr. His two brothers, Zach and Nick, also played professional football. Zach is the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Chris Orr High School Football Stats DeSoto (DeSoto, TX)". Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Chris Orr, Football, Wisconsin Badgers". uwbadgers.com. April 27, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  3. ^ Hamm, Drew (April 25, 2020). "NFL Draft 2020: Chris Orr signs with Carolina Panthers as UDFA". buckys5thquarter.com. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  4. ^ Simmons, Myles (September 5, 2020). "Panthers reduce roster to 53 players". Panthers.com.
  5. ^ Panthers announce initial practice squad, Panthers
  6. ^ Simmons, Myles (October 3, 2020). "Panthers activate Eli Apple from reserve/injured list". Panthers.com. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  7. ^ "Carolina calls on three". FantasyGuru.com. November 14, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  8. ^ "Panthers make roster moves prior to Week 11". Panthers.com. November 21, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  9. ^ Bryan, Will (December 12, 2020). "Panthers activate linebacker Adarius Taylor from reserve/injured list". Panthers.com. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  10. ^ Bryan, Will [@Pantherstatsguy] (December 15, 2020). "#Panthers have released K Lirim Hajrullahu and signed LB Chris Orr back to practice squad. Also activated DT Bruce Hector from practice squad/COVID-19 list" (Tweet). Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Bryan, Will (January 4, 2021). "Panthers sign 14 players to reserve future contracts for 2021". Panthers.com.
  12. ^ "Panthers sign former Jaguars DT Caraun Reid, release LB Chris Orr". pantherswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  13. ^ @USFLGenerals (February 23, 2022). "In Command! The New Jersey Generals have selected Chris Orr #USFLDraft #InTheTrenches" (Tweet). Retrieved May 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ @USFLGenerals (May 21, 2022). "Roster Updates" (Tweet). Retrieved May 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ @USFLGenerals (May 21, 2022). "Game Status Report" (Tweet). Retrieved May 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ @USFLGenerals (July 14, 2023). "Free Agent Signings" (Tweet). Retrieved July 16, 2023 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  18. ^ Larsen, James [@JamesLarsenPFN] (January 5, 2024). "BREAKING: The Birmingham Stallions selected LB Chris Orr in the #USFL Dispersal Draft, per source" (Tweet). Retrieved January 5, 2024 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "Lucas: His role has changed, but Orr's impact on Badgers continues". Wisconsin Football.
  20. ^ Zrebiec, Jeff (August 31, 2015). "Despite father's reluctance, Ravens LB Zachary Orr and brothers are busy football family". BaltimoreSun.com.
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