Anfernee Orji swaps playbook for lesson plans during his offseason

While most NFL players spend their offseasons fine-tuning workouts and training regimens, Anfernee Orji is taking a different approach — trading in defensive schemes for lesson plans.

The promising linebacker, currently with the Green Bay Packers, is turning heads for a very different reason this offseason. Orji has returned to the classroom — not as a student, but as a guest teacher and mentor for local youth in his hometown of Rockwall, Texas.

Orji, a Vanderbilt graduate known for both his football IQ and academic excellence, has always emphasized the importance of education. Now, with a few months away from the field, he’s decided to give back by inspiring the next generation.

"Being in the NFL is a blessing," Orji shared in a recent interview. "But I also know how important it is to show kids that life is bigger than just sports. If I can be a small part of that message, it’s worth it."

According to school officials, Orji has been leading sessions in leadership, discipline, and even life skills — drawing from his own experiences balancing college football with a rigorous academic load at Vanderbilt.

His involvement has drawn praise from both educators and teammates. “It’s not every day you see a pro athlete step into a classroom to teach,” said one local high school principal. “But Anfernee does it with humility and heart.”

With OTAs and training camp on the horizon, Orji will soon shift back into football mode. But for now, he’s proving that leadership isn’t just measured in tackles and sacks — sometimes, it’s about showing up where it matters most.

And for Anfernee Orji, that place is the classroom.