By Daily Sports on July 21, 2018

One year ago, Ruke Orhorhoro was preparing to play in his first football season at River Rouge High School. Now, the senior defensive end is preparing for his final high school season while looking forward to joining the Clemson football program a year from now.

It is quite an amazing difference what one year can make. In fact, it is quite a difference eight years can make.

After immigrating from Nigeria with his family when he was eight years old for the search of a better life, the now 16-year-old Orhorhoro has accomplished his goal of getting a college scholarship. Academically or athletically, that was always Orhorhoro's biggest goal.

"Just a kid coming out of Nigeria and going to Clemson is a pretty big deal to my family," Orhorhoro said.

Starting a new life

The youngest of seven children, Orhorhoro and his family immigrated to the United States when he was just eight years old. The reason behind the move echos the reasoning that so many immigrants seek out U.S. soil: to pursue a better life.

"It's kind of rough down there (in Nigeria) but everything is getting better," Orhorhoro said. "(My parents) just wanted us to have a better opportunity and to be successful."

Luckily for Orhorhoro and his family, the pursuit of a better life is being realized. Orhorhoro's siblings have gone to college, with a couple currently at Wayne State while another is currently at Oakland University and yet another is at Toledo and serving in the military.

Orhorhoro is just glad he can keep the college trend going for his family, although he is doing it a bit differently with his football scholarship. However, Orhorhoro has not forgotten about grades along the way, maintaining a 3.8 GPA and joining the National Honor Society.

Already well-versed in the English language when he arrived in the United States, Orhorhoro enjoyed the transition to his new home and took every adjustment in stride.

"The classrooms were different and everything was different," Orhorhoro said, who doesn't speak with any accent. "But that's life. Life takes you places and without me coming here, I wouldn't be where I am today. I thank God for that."

Perhaps his biggest adjustment was, off all things, the weather.

"It was a big transition coming from a place that is always hot to a place that snows," Orhorhoro said. "I'd never seen snow." (Mlive.com)

•Photo shows Orhorhoro

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 21, 2018

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