A five-year starter at USC, where he earned All-Conference and All-American honors as a senior last season, NFL hopeful Andrew Vorhees lived every draft prospect’s worst nightmare this weekend, injuring his knee during Sunday’s Combine workout in Indianapolis. Subsequent tests confirmed an ACL tear, which figures to shelve Vorhees for most, if not all of his rookie season. Now at risk of falling out of the top 100 picks (The Athletic had him 77th on their “Big Board”), Sunday’s setback likely cost him millions, dooming Vorhees to late-round obscurity.
Though some evaluators might dismiss him as damaged goods, the 24-year-old still managed to make his presence felt, leaving the Combine, but not before logging 38 bench-press reps at 225 pounds, the most by any player to come through Indianapolis this week. If nothing else, Monday did plenty to highlight Vorhees’ toughness, outperforming his colleagues on one leg. It’s a testament to Vorhees’ strength and resiliency, showing admirable grit and determination in the face of a crushing setback that would have sent most players spiraling.
Older and less athletic than many of his peers at the guard position, Vorhees was never going to be a first-round pick, and certainly won’t be now that he’s headed for surgery, followed by a lengthy rehab and recovery lasting well into his debut season. But if guts count for anything, the 6’6,” 310-pounder should have a bright future in professional football, regardless of where he falls in the draft.
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