Nate Orchard

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Nate Orchard

| image = Nate Orchard (36328332706).jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Orchard with the Cleveland Browns in 2017

| current_team =

| number = 44, 53, 54, 59, 43, 50

| position = Defensive end

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|1|5|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 4

| weight_lbs = 251

| high_school = Highland (Salt Lake City, Utah)

| college = Utah (2011–2014)

| draftyear = 2015

| draftround = 2

| draftpick = 51

| pastteams =

Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2018}})
Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2018}})
Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
Washington Redskins / Football Team ({{NFL Year|2019|2020}})
Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2020}})
Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2021}})*
Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
Washington Football Team ({{NFL Year|2021}})

| status =

| highlights =

Ted Hendricks Award (2014)
Morris Trophy (2014)
First-team All-Pac-12 (2014)

| statweek =

| statseason =

| statlabel1 = Total tackles

| statvalue1 = 85

| statlabel2 = Sacks

| statvalue2 = 6.0

| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles

| statvalue3 = 2

| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue4 = 2

| statlabel5 = Pass deflections

| statvalue5 = 6

| statlabel6 = Interceptions

| statvalue6 = 1

| pfr = OrchNa00

}}

Nathaniel Fakahafua Orchard (born Napa'a Lilo Fakahafua on January 5, 1993) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins / Football Team, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers.

Early life

Orchard is of Tongan descent.

[https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nfl/nfl-draft/difficult-childhood-marriage-shaped-nate-orchard/109953686 Difficult childhood, marriage shaped Nate Orchard] He attended Highland High School in Salt Lake City, Utah.[http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/utes/54971729-89/nate-utah-lily-fakahafua.html.csp Letters to Lily: Utah football player writes his own story] He played football, basketball and competed in track. In football, he played as a wide receiver and defensive end. As a senior, he had 58 receptions for 1,351 yards and 17 touchdowns on offense and 62 tackles, 17.5 sacks and two interceptions on defense. In track & field, Orchard competed as a sprinter and posted personal-bests of 11.9 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 54.3 seconds in the 400-meter dash at the 2009 Region VI T&F Championships.{{Cite web|url=http://ut.milesplit.com/meets/53809/results/91422|title = Region VI Track & Field Championships 2009 - Complete Results (Raw)}}

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Orchard was ranked as the No. 60 wide receiver in his class.[https://rivals.yahoo.com/tamu/football/recruiting/player-Nate-Fakahafua-99610 Rivals.com]

College career

As a true freshman at the University of Utah in 2011, Orchard played in all 13 games, recording four tackles. As a sophomore in 2012, he started 11 of the 12 games, recording 48 tackles, three sacks and a touchdown on a fumble recovery. As a junior in 2013, he started all 12 games, recording 49 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Orchard entered his senior season in 2014 as a starter. In his senior season, Orchard recorded 84 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 18.5 sacks. Orchard won the Ted Hendricks Award for his performance.[http://www.ksl.com/?nid=635&sid=31565558 Nate Orchard continues dominant role of Utah defenders][http://www.gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/football/osu-football-beavers-want-to-avoid-getting-sacked-by-nate/article_43cf8fe6-53ec-11e4-b21c-4bb439d17320.html OSU football: Beavers want to avoid getting sacked by Nate Orchard][http://registerguard.com/rg/sports/32288846-81/orchards-talent-bears-fruit-for-utes.html.csp Orchard's talent bears fruit for Utes]

Professional career

File:Terry McLaurin (cropped).jpg in 2019]]

=Cleveland Browns=

The Cleveland Browns picked Orchard in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2015 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} On May 6, he signed a four-year contract worth $4.466 million, which included a $1.058 million signing bonus. At least $2.581 million of Orchard's contract is guaranteed.{{cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/05/cleveland_browns_sign_2nd-roun.html|last=Cabot|first=Mary Kay|title=Cleveland Browns sign 2nd-round pick Nate Orchard and 6th-rounder Randall Telfer|work=Cleveland Plain Dealer|date=May 7, 2015|access-date=May 27, 2015}} On October 1, 2016, Orchard was placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/browns-sign-lb-cam-johnson-place-nate-orchard-on-ir/697a6e0c-bb79-43c6-bab5-ae7f9ad264c3|title=Browns sign LB Cam Johnson, place Nate Orchard on IR|work=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=October 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904194803/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/browns-sign-lb-cam-johnson-place-nate-orchard-on-ir/697a6e0c-bb79-43c6-bab5-ae7f9ad264c3|access-date=October 1, 2016|archive-date=September 4, 2017}}

On September 1, 2018, Orchard was released by the Browns.{{cite web|title=Browns announce 53-man roster|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-announce-53-man-roster|author=Gribble, Andrew|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=September 1, 2018}}

=Buffalo Bills=

On September 10, 2018, he was signed by the Buffalo Bills.{{cite web|title=Bills sign DE Nate Orchard|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-de-nate-orchard|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=September 10, 2018}} He was released by the Bills on October 2, 2018.{{cite web|title=Bills sign CB Dontae Johnson|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-cb-dontae-johnson|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=October 2, 2018}}

=Kansas City Chiefs=

On October 10, 2018, Orchard was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs.{{cite web|title=Chiefs sign free agent outside linebacker Nate Orchard|url=https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2018/10/10/17959078/chiefs-sign-free-agent-outside-linebacker-nate-orchard|website=ArrowheadPride.com|date=October 10, 2018}} He was released on November 6, 2018.{{cite web |title=Chiefs safety (no, not that one) activated from injured reserve; Nate Orchard waived |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article221195245.html |website=KansasCity.com|date=November 6, 2018}}

=Seattle Seahawks=

On April 4, 2019, Orchard was signed by the Seattle Seahawks.{{cite web|title=Seahawks Sign Defensive Ends Cassius Marsh & Nate Orchard|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-defensive-ends-cassius-marsh-nate-orchard|author=Boyle, John|website=Seahawks.com|date=April 4, 2019}} He was released on May 10, 2019.{{cite web|title=Nate Orchard: Released by Seahawks|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/nate-orchard-released-by-seahawks/|work=CBS Sports|date=May 10, 2019}}

=Miami Dolphins=

On May 15, 2019, Orchard was signed by the Miami Dolphins.{{cite web|title=Dolphins Sign Tony Adams, Kyle Fuller and Nate Orchard|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-sign-tony-adams-kyle-fuller-and-nate-orchard|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=May 16, 2019}} He was released on September 3, 2019.{{cite web|title=Dolphins Claim James Crawford Off Waivers|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-claim-james-crawford-off-waivers|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=September 3, 2019}}

=Washington Redskins / Football Team (first stint)=

On November 27, 2019, Orchard was signed by the Washington Redskins.{{cite web|title=Redskins Sign LB Nate Orchard|url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-sign-lb-nate-orchard|website=Redskins.com|date=November 27, 2019}}

In Week 13 against the Carolina Panthers, Orchard sacked quarterback Kyle Allen once and recovered a fumble forced on Allen by teammate Chris Odom late in the fourth quarter to seal a 29–21 win.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128032 |title=Guise, Redskins hold on to beat Panthers 29-21 |date=December 1, 2019 |website=ESPN |access-date=December 1, 2019}}

Orchard re-signed with the team on March 25, 2020.{{cite web|title=Redskins Re-Sign LB Nate Orchard|url=https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-re-sign-lb-nate-orchard|website=Redskins.com|date=March 25, 2020}} He was released on September 5, 2020, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite news |last1=Jhabvala |first1=Nicki |last2=Fortier |first2=Sam |title=Alex Smith avoids Washington Football Team's cuts, will remain on 53-man roster |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/09/05/washington-roster-cuts/ |newspaper=Washington Post}}{{cite web |title=Washington Football Team Signs 13 Players To Its Practice Squad |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/washington-football-team-signs-12-players-practice-squad |website=WashingtonFootball.com |access-date=6 September 2020}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 29, 2020.{{cite web|title=Washington Football Team Places Matt Ioannidis On Injured Reserve|url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/matt-ioannidis-torn-bicep-season-ending-injury-washington-football|website=WashingtonFootball.com|date=September 29, 2020}} He was waived on November 7, 2020.{{cite news |author=Stackpole, Kyle |title=Washington Activates WR Steven Sims Off Injured Reserve |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/washington-activates-steven-sims-off-injured-reserve |website=WashingtonFootball.com |date=November 7, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020}}

=Houston Texans=

Orchard was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans on November 9, 2020.{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Aaron |title=Texans claim outside linebacker Nate Orchard off waivers |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/Texans-claim-outside-linebacker-Nate-Orchard-off-15713768.php |website=Houston Chronicle |date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=9 November 2020}} He was waived on December 12, 2020.{{cite news |title=Houston Texans Transactions (12-12-20) |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-12-12-20 |website=HoustonTexans.com |date=December 12, 2020 |access-date=January 27, 2021}}

=Tennessee Titans=

Orchard was signed by the Tennessee Titans to their practice squad on December 19, 2020.{{cite web|title=Titans Make Several Roster Moves Before Sunday's Game vs Lions|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-make-several-roster-moves-before-sunday-s-game-vs-lions|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=December 19, 2020|access-date=January 12, 2021}} He was signed to a futures contract on January 11, 2021.{{cite web|title=Titans Sign 14 Players to Futures Contracts for 2021|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-14-players-to-futures-contracts-for-2021|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=January 11, 2021|access-date=January 12, 2021}} On May 10, 2021, Orchard was released by Tennessee.{{cite news |author=Wyatt, Jim |title=Roster Moves: Titans Part Ways With Three Players |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/roster-moves-titans-part-ways-with-three-players |website=TennesseeTitans.com |date=May 10, 2021 |access-date=May 11, 2021}}

=Minnesota Vikings=

On November 4, 2021, Orchard was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.{{cite web|title=Vikings Place Bradbury on Reserve/COVID-19; Sign Stocker to 53|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/garrett-bradbury-covid-19-luke-stocker-nate-orchard|author=Peters, Craig|website=Vikings.com|date=November 4, 2021}} He was released on November 19.

=Green Bay Packers=

On November 25, 2021, Orchard was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad.{{cite web|title=Packers sign LB Nate Orchard to practice squad|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-lb-nate-orchard-to-practice-squad|website=Packers.com|date=November 25, 2021|access-date=November 27, 2021|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127182150/https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-lb-nate-orchard-to-practice-squad|url-status=dead}}

=Washington Football Team (second stint)=

The Washington Football Team signed Orchard off the Packers' practice squad on December 14, 2021.{{cite web|work=WashingtonFootball.com|url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/washington-signs-nate-orchard-adds-hercules-mata-afa-to-the-practice-squad|title=Washington signs Nate Orchard, adds Hercules Mata'afa to the practice squad|date=December 14, 2021|accessdate=December 14, 2021|first=Zach|last=Selby}}

Personal life

Orchard legally changed his name from Napa'a Lilo Fakahafua to Nathaniel Fakahafua Orchard in honor of his adopted family. He is married to Maegan Webber Orchard and has a daughter named Katherine Mae Orchard (named after his mother Katherine), a daughter named Charlotte Orchard and a son, Bo Webber Orchard.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130404060252/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865576801/Ute-football-New-name-same-game-for-Utah-defensive-end-Nate-Orchard.html?pg=all Ute football: New name, same game for Utah defensive end Nate Orchard]