How Ravens 7th-Round Pick Andrew Vorhees Became NFL-Bound Despite Injury

Selected with the No. 229 overall pick despite being diagnosed with a torn ACL just two hours prior to the Combine, Andrew Vorhees still managed to show off his talent prior to the NFL Draft.

When USC offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees entered the 2023 NFL Combine, he was expecting a chance to show off his abilities and earn a roster spot in the league.

The 24-year-old got his opportunity, but not before an ACL tear the day prior, and instead of opting out of the combine, Vorhees made it a point to participate in any way he could, one drill being the bench-press evaluation. And the result? 

The future Baltimore Raven out-benched every other prospect at the combine with 38 reps. 

Andrew Vorhees in the 7th round is amazing for the Ravens.

Tore his ACL at the combine then knocked out 38 reps on the bench. Probably going to be stashed this year but great move. pic.twitter.com/vQQxtxJzpk

— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) April 29, 2023

"It's definitely devastating [to get news like that]," Vorhees said. "But life is all about how you respond to events that happen. ... I'd like to think I responded well."

After his performance, videos of Vorhees on the bench made waves on social media, with the lineman receiving messages from people around the country.

"I was not expecting the response I got," Vorhees said. "I knew it was going to make some noise ... [but] I didn't realize it was going to be this big of a deal.

"It's been super positive," he added. "I think one of the coolest things about [everything] was just so many kids reaching out to me and saying how inspiring I am to them [because] they've gone through the same injury."

Coming from Kingsburg, California, Vorhees said he was able to inspire those in his hometown as well, though that started long before he declared for the draft.

In college, Vorhees was the highest-graded offensive lineman in the Pac-12 for the past two seasons and was a big part of USC quarterback Caleb Williams' Heisman Trophy run. His stellar play earned him an All-American distinction and multiple Pac-12 honors, and despite the Trojans losing their last two games, Vorhees' legacy with USC was already set. 

His five seasons there proved his relentless effort and complete faith in his own game, and entering the draft, the offensive lineman hoped that an NFL team would share that same faith. 

The Ravens were that team, selecting Vorhees with the No. 229 overall pick in the seventh round — the expected landing spot after the news of his injury broke — though it is safe to say they like their choice.

"We are getting a tough and physical competitor,” Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said in a team statement. “[He’s] polished and experienced, [and] we have every expectation that he will be playing winning football for us in 2024. This is a move that really solidified our line for the coming years."

As he enters the offseason, getting healthy will remain a priority for both Vorhees and Baltimore, but backing up already experienced linemen during that process will kickstart his growth ahead of his NFL debut. 

And regardless of how long it takes, he is prepared to carve out his own NFL journey next season.

"I'm going to take it one day at a time," Vorhees said. "I'm going to put this behind me, and have it be just a part of my story."

---

Follow Matt Guzman on Twitter and Instagram

Listen to the Baltimore Ravens Daily Blitz Podcast

Follow Raven Country on Twitter

Ravens Alert! Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Baltimore Ravens?