Anthony Orr was a top Alabama high school defensive lineman in the 2009 recruiting class.
He was highly sought-after, with offers from Clemson, Auburn, Tennessee and others, but was a lifelong 'Bama fan and only wanted to wear crimson.
But with all the 2009 signees on campus, the numbers just didn't fit, and Orr, being an "All Crimson" kind of guy, saw the talent on the defensive line and the number of allowed players (85) already close to being met, and took one for the team.
He took a grey shirt and deferred his enrollment until January, becoming a member of the team a year late. You didn't see him in the 2010 media guide, but you would have seen him in the weight room and on the practice fields.
Orr was and is an excellent student; grades were never a problem, so he used the time to build bulk and wait until he can be a force when Alabama needs him the most.
Most players are simply not this unselfish, but Anthony Orr is just that kind of guy.
He's a team player all the way.
Orr also needed the additional time to study film and learn the defense. He's always had the size to be a devastating lineman, but he came from high school as a full-time basketball guy and didn't have the kind of football experience other recruits did.
His coaches in high school said he was all raw talent, and that once the light came on with more coaching he could be a top player.
So, the time off let Orr concentrate on the mental part of the game as well as bulking up even more.
He has certainly caught the staff's eyes with his work ethic. He'll push this year's starters for playing time, and next season will be ready to be a force against offenses around the SEC.
This was just what Nick Saban hoped for when he signed Orr.
And the light is clearly on now. The fact that Orr delayed the eligibility clock means he'll be there for years to come when the depth won't be as deep.
Because of Orr's limited football-playing resume, he was only rated a three-star at defensive end, despite his 6'4'', 260-pound frame.
With two years in the Scott Cochran weight room, Orr has lost his baby fat and exchanged it for muscle. He now has a firm grasp of Kirby Smart's defense, refined footwork and pass-rushing techniques, and is ready to become a great defensive end.
So start getting used to Anthony Orr, a stranger no more.
Claudette Ortiz Julia Stiles Marisa Miller AnnaLynne McCord Emma Heming
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