FORT COLLINS — Drop the “Brian’s little brother” tag. Justifiably proud of his older brother, newly converted linebacker Mike Orakpo is intent on making his own name for Colorado State this fall.
The younger brother of Washington Redskins Pro Bowl defensive end Brian Orakpo started out with the Rams’ first unit in Thursday’s opening practice. That status will likely change when one of the squad’s best players, senior Ricky Brewer, returns from summer school obligations.
“I will make a name for myself, definitely,” Mike Orakpo said. “If I get in a game, I have to make an impact to get in the game more and more. If it’s special teams or a lot of different scenarios, they are going to work the people in who are going to help win.”
With or without Brewer, Orakpo is intent on getting on the field. He could move into an outside linebacker rotation with Brewer and preseason all-conference pick Mychal Sisson, see playing time in a situational 3-4 defense or show his value on all the special-teams units.
CSU coach Steve Fairchild said Orakpo is in the mix. Brewer and Sisson can play both outside linebacker spots, and Orakpo could do the same.
Sisson is unquestionably the defensive leader of the team. When he was on the sideline, his time was spent showing newcomers what to look for in making plays. Injuries forced him into an exhausting number of plays last fall. Orakpo lends the depth to keep everyone with fresh legs.
At 6-feet-1 and 208 pounds, Orakpo attended a different Texas high school than his brother. Brian was a three-year starting defensive end for Texas, moving to outside linebacker in the NFL.
Mike Orakpo was one of the Rams’ spring revelations. He exceled at safety, but right after spring ball the coaches moved him to outside linebacker.
“I really don’t have a preference,” Orakpo said. “I’ll play whatever they want me to play. I’ve been a linebacker my whole life. It’s kind of easier.”
An academic glitch prevented him from starting his eligibility last fall. He immediately commanded attention in the spring.
With that head start, even at another position, Orakpo said, “It makes it a lot easier learning now (the linebackers’ responsibilities).”
Despite the conditioning work by the Rams this summer, Orakpo took advantage of one brief break to visit the Redskins’ offseason workouts in Virginia.
“I learned a couple of things from the linebacking coach,” he said.
Footnotes. The Rams have ditched Nike and this year have Under Armour shoes. Said receiver Matt Yemm: “The Under Armour people custom fit them for us, and the guys said the sole kind of molds to the foot. I guess we’ll see after a couple of days. Today was pretty good.” . . . Fairchild is taking a 180-degree turn from the usual plan for wholesale freshman redshirting. “We’re under the premise that no one is going to redshirt,” he said. “If they can help us, we’ll use them.”
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
