Barryn Sorrell’s draft night proved a familiar truth: good things really do take their sweet time. Composure under pressure paid off. Sorrell heard his name called by the Packers in the fourth after the long wait. After 72 hours….124th pick! The defensive end wasn’t about to just give Steve Sarkisian a quick nod and peace out; he made sure to give him a real shout-out, talking about how much the Texas HC helped him shine and what this new chapter means to him.

Were you expecting an emotional moment? That’s precisely the scene in the green room as Texas defensive end Barryn Sorrell waited for his name to be called. Upon being drafted, he immediately expressed his profound gratitude. “Man, just an unreal feeling,” Sorrell said. “I really don’t have any words to describe it. It’s definitely going to be one of the best memories I’ve had in my life. This day has been great. Just the energy that these fans bring.” The waiting period can indeed be challenging until that pivotal moment arrives.

Even as he joined the Green Bay Packers, Barryn Sorrell maintained his strong connection with his head coach, Steve Sarkisian. So, Kay Adams hits Barryn up on Up & Adams, asking what Sark’s going to miss the most. The new Packers star confidently stated, “I mean just what I brought to the program day in day out being a leader, you know, just driving at what changed around and being a part of what changed around Texas.” Furthermore, Sorrell shared a lighthearted anecdote about Sarkisian’s continued involvement….

“But I was laughing because I was at spring practice the other day watching him and Coach Sark, and as I’m walking on the field, he’s like, Can we get one more practice out of you? And that was just funny, you know, still having that relationship, and yeah, I’m going to miss him for sure.” It’s clear why Steve Sarkisian might have jokingly requested one more practice from Barryn Sorrell. He was not only an exceptional player but also a significant defensive asset.

“It’s been a metamorphosis,” Steve Sarkisian said. “Barryn Sorrell is one of our leaders because he does all the things we ask of our players and holds his teammates accountable. We’re benefiting from a whole lot of levels from an older, truly wholeheartedly committed version of Barryn Sorrell. We’re seeing the best version of him that we’ve seen in any of the previous three years. Physically, he’s in great shape. He’s in a great mental space this season.” Losing a bunch of players to the league definitely stings, but for the HC, this has got to be a major proud dad moment.

Undoubtedly, the Packers recognized something special in Barryn Sorrell. His 2024 season at Texas was remarkable, marked by 44 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks—career highs in tackles for loss and sacks, and matching his personal best in total tackles. He plays with unyielding energy and impressive athleticism, consistently overcoming blocks with a diverse set of techniques.

However, some evaluations present a nuanced perspective on Barryn Sorrell’s game. According to Zierlein, “He plays with adequate power at the point and can work around blocks and into the backfield,” Zierlein wrote. At 6-foot-3 and 256 pounds, he might not possess that elite speed, “but he wins with his hands and has an above-average feel for creating entry points with positioning and body turn. He doesn’t have high-end traits, but he’s productive and reliable. Sorrell could become an average starter in time.” Despite these considerations, his flashes of brilliance have generated considerable excitement surrounding his move to the Packers.

A die-hard Longhorns fan is all in on Barryn Sorrell

Being a Texas alum and a longtime, vocal supporter, actor Matthew McConaughey always chimes in on the Longhorns. He even popped up on screen with Woody Harrelson, bringing back their True Detective vibes for a new ad campaign all about Texas’ well-being. Now, McConaughey shared his scouting assessment of the Packers’ 2025 fourth-round pick on April 26th, tweeting his admiration for the former Longhorns edge rusher, calling him a “wild dawg on the edge. LOVES to game!” Sorrell, a fellow Texan who played college football at the University of Texas, is 22 years old.

McConaughey’s enthusiasm for Sorrell’s draft pick stems from his deep connection to the University of Texas, where he graduated in ’93 and remains a devoted Longhorns fan, even holding the unofficial title of the school’s “Minister of Culture” for the basketball arena. Sorrell is not the only Packers draftee to garner McConaughey’s support; he also recently expressed his excitement for their first-round pick, wide receiver Matthew Golden.

Beyond McConaughey, NFL insider Brian McCarthy also acknowledged Barryn Sorrell’s achievement on X, stating, “Great moment for Barryn Sorrell, who came into Green Bay last night to see the Draft set up and meet the Commissioner. Selected today by @packers. Led the crowd with a rowdy Go Pack Go.”

What makes Barryn Sorrell a potentially ideal fit for the Packers? He offers consistent performance, a highly valued attribute in the NFL. His statistics demonstrate this reliability: 37 tackles in 2023 and 44 in both 2022 and 2024, earning him Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors. Over three seasons, he maintained an average of five sacks per year and accumulated 24 tackles for loss, showcasing steady production. His athleticism is further supported by his impressive testing results: a 34-inch vertical jump, a 10’1″ broad jump, a 4.36 shuttle, and a 7.06 three-cone drill, culminating in a 9.31 RAS score, placing him 142nd among edge rushers in the 2029 class since 1987.

Furthermore, Barryn Sorrell’s extensive experience is a significant advantage for the Packers. He started 40 games for Texas, playing a crucial role in two consecutive College Football Playoff appearances. Coming from a top program with serious starting experience, Sorrell’s pro potential is clear. Plus, his killer hand skills mean he’s ready to disrupt offensive lines and set the edge for the Packers.