Ruke & TD: Forging a Formidable Friendship on Clemson's Defensive Line

In the high-stakes world of college football, partnerships and alliances can be the key to success on the field. In fact, yesterday Dabo Swinney said that ‘chemistry and the leadership that comes with that’ is one of the more underrated aspects of great teams. 

Clemson's defensive dynamo, Ruke Orhorhoro, knows this all too well as he gears up for another season on the gridiron. Standing tall at 6'4 and weighing in at an imposing 291 pounds, Orhorhoro is a force to be reckoned with on the defensive line. Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, he has not only taken huge strides in the game but has also forged a remarkable friendship with fellow defensive tackle Tyler Davis that has elevated both of their performances.

Entering the 2023 season, Orhorhoro arrives with 75 career tackles, including 17.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, eight pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries. Orhorhoro's impact on the field is undeniable, and the upcoming season should be a breakout year. 

But what truly sets him apart isn't just his physical prowess, it's the bond he shares with his counterpart, Davis. Orhorhoro recently took center stage with the media to shed light on the extraordinary relationship he shares with Davis.

"Yeah, I mean, we usually do everything together. I wish we lived together, but Tyler got a girlfriend on me, and kind of turned his back on me,” Orhorhoro said with a chuckle. “So now she's a part of our family too. We do everything together. We go to church together. We eat together—watch film together all the time. We're pretty much together every single day, honestly.”

The camaraderie between the two defensive linemen isn't limited to off-field activities. On the contrary, it's the fire they ignite within each other that fuels their football success.

"We always were together, honestly. He was on the field earlier than me—I would never say to his face—but I always kind of looked up to him, you know? So I just followed behind his footsteps, and he makes me better. Everything he does, I want to do better. Everything I do, he wants to do better. Ever since then, we've just been close. It started in the weight room. If I benched 405, he wanted to bench 410. It was annoying at first, but it's good competition, and all it did was make us closer, honestly," Orhorhoro explained.

The competitive spirit that drives the duo is infectious and it shows. Orhorhoro shared more about the duo’s mindset, stating, "I think we're just both competitors. That's all we love to do is compete. 24/7 all that's on my mind is football, football, football. Same thing with him. I get home, and I think about football. I wake up, I think about football. Eating, I'm thinking about football. I'm thinking about football right now, honestly. He has the same mindset. Anytime he gets in some extra work, he'd always call me. Anytime I'm getting some extra work, I call him, and so we just have the same mindset on and off the field. So I think that's what makes us click."

Their shared commitment to excellence and the pursuit of improvement is evident both in their performances on the field and in the decisions they make off of it.

David Grooms

Ruke Orhorhoro celebrates making a bing play against Florida State.

The pair faced a pivotal crossroads last year when they contemplated returning for a final season at Clemson. Orhorhoro shared insight into the thought process behind their decision-making dance: "Honestly, I knew I was coming back way before—I'll tell you this right now. I wanted him to say it, so I'd always tell y'all to ask him, and he'd tell y'all to ask me, and so we just started that, and we just kept it going."

Orhorhoro's recollection of the decisive phone call adds a touch of humor to their partnership.

"He called me, he's like, 'Hey, you want to come back?' And I was so surprised because if anything, I was gonna stay and he was gonna leave. So I was like, 'Are you being serious?' He was like, 'Yeah,' and I had the biggest smile on my face. Ever since that phone call, I just knew I was coming back and so here we are."

The candid glimpse into their bond is nothing short of incredible, as Orhorhoro added, "TD (Tyler Davis) never answers the phone. He's more of a texter. So when he called me, I knew he was serious. So I paused for a little bit, and then I said, 'Yeah, I'm ready,' and then that was it."

In a day and age where so many players rush to the NFL, Clemson fans can rest assured that the Orhorhoro-Davis partnership is primed for one final run in Tiger Town. With their unbreakable bond, shared work ethic, and commitment to greatness, these two defensive linemen are set to disrupt and dominate once more.

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