NFL draft: Texas football edge scouting report Sorrell, Barryn

NFL Draft Scouting Report: Texas Football Edge Rusher Barryn Sorrell

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, teams are eagerly analyzing top prospects who can make an immediate impact in the league, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Among the players generating buzz is Barryn Sorrell, an edge rusher from the Texas Longhorns. Known for his relentless motor, athleticism, and disruptive presence on the field, Sorrell has established himself as one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in the country.

This scouting report takes a deep dive into Barryn Sorrell’s skill set, strengths, areas for improvement, and potential fit at the next level. Whether he lands in the first or second round, Sorrell’s development as a player makes him a name to watch during the NFL Draft process.

Background and College Career

Barryn Sorrell is a product of Houston, Texas, and came to the University of Texas as a highly regarded recruit. After a standout high school career, he quickly adjusted to the college game, becoming an integral part of the Longhorns’ defense. Throughout his time at Texas, Sorrell showed significant growth, culminating in a stellar 2024 season that positioned him as one of the top edge rushers in the country.

In his time at Texas, Sorrell played under head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. The Texas defense, which has undergone significant improvement in recent years, benefited from Sorrell’s ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks, disrupt running plays, and create havoc in the backfield. Sorrell’s relentless pursuit of the ball, high motor, and versatile skill set made him an indispensable player for the Longhorns.

Physical Profile

Barryn Sorrell’s physical attributes are one of the main reasons he has drawn so much attention from NFL scouts. He stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs around 250 pounds, offering the prototypical size for an edge rusher in today’s NFL. His frame is muscular, with long arms and a strong, solid build that allows him to both disengage from blockers and make plays in the backfield. This size gives him the ability to play with power against offensive tackles, while his athleticism enables him to chase down quarterbacks and ball carriers with speed and fluidity.

Sorrell has a quick first step, which helps him generate immediate pressure on the quarterback and set the tone for the pass rush. His burst off the line of scrimmage is noticeable, allowing him to exploit slow or misaligned offensive linemen, especially when attacking from the edge. Additionally, his flexibility and body control make him difficult to block, as he can bend the edge and turn corners quickly when rushing the passer.

While his physical attributes are impressive, Sorrell’s conditioning and durability have also been key to his success. His motor does not slow down, and he has the stamina to remain effective throughout the course of the game.

Strengths

1. Pass Rush Ability

Barryn Sorrell’s most notable strength is his ability to rush the passer. In the 2024 season, Sorrell was a consistent threat to opposing quarterbacks, totaling double-digit sacks and numerous tackles for loss. His quickness off the line of scrimmage, combined with his length, allows him to close space quickly and force quarterbacks into difficult situations. Sorrell often beats offensive tackles with his first step, using a combination of speed and power to generate pressure.

One of the defining features of Sorrell’s pass rush is his ability to develop a variety of moves to keep offensive linemen guessing. He’s adept at using a speed-to-power move, where he starts with speed and then explodes into a power rush, pushing back the offensive lineman. He also demonstrates a spin move, which he uses when offensive tackles overcommit to his speed rush, creating an opening for him to get into the backfield.

Additionally, Sorrell is strong at chasing down quarterbacks from behind. His pursuit speed is exceptional, and he consistently tracks down quarterbacks who try to escape the pocket. This makes him a threat even when he doesn’t win initially off the snap.

2. Run Defense and Containing the Edge

While pass rushing is his forte, Sorrell is also a solid defender against the run. His length and strength allow him to anchor well at the line of scrimmage and keep offensive tackles from getting him out of position. He can hold his ground on the edge and shed blockers when necessary, allowing him to remain in the play even when the ball is being run away from him.

Sorrell’s discipline is also evident in his run defense. He does not get too aggressive and chase plays out of position. Instead, he maintains his assignment, sets the edge, and forces runners back inside toward help from his teammates. His ability to quickly diagnose run plays and react to different schemes is a testament to his football IQ.

3. Football IQ and Awareness

Sorrell has a high football IQ that allows him to diagnose plays quickly. He is not easily fooled by misdirection, play-action, or other schemes designed to throw him off. His ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and anticipate the ball’s trajectory has resulted in several deflections and even a few interceptions during his career.

This football IQ extends to his decision-making when rushing the passer. Sorrell is patient with his rushes, picking his spots and adjusting his technique based on what the offensive linemen give him. He can also adjust his rush moves mid-play if he senses that his initial move will be ineffective.

4. Versatility

Another key strength of Sorrell is his versatility. Although he primarily played as an edge rusher, Sorrell showed the ability to play both as a stand-up linebacker and a down lineman in multiple defensive schemes. His ability to stand up and rush from different positions along the defensive front allows defensive coordinators to create mismatches against offensive lines.

This flexibility makes him a valuable asset at the next level, as he can adapt to different defensive schemes and be used in a variety of ways. Whether it’s lining up as a 3-4 outside linebacker, a 4-3 defensive end, or even as a stand-up rusher in third-and-long situations, Sorrell can do it all.

Areas for Improvement

1. Hand Usage

While Sorrell’s physical traits are impressive, his hand usage when engaging blockers still needs refinement. At times, he can get too focused on relying on his speed to beat offensive tackles rather than using his hands to disengage and fight through blocks. In the NFL, offensive linemen are much more skilled and stronger, so Sorrell will need to develop more effective hand techniques in order to defeat stronger and more experienced blockers.

Learning how to quickly shed blockers using his hands will be crucial for Sorrell’s development. The ability to rip, swim, or club through blockers is a skill that will make him a much more dangerous edge rusher at the next level.

2. Consistency

Sorrell’s play can be inconsistent at times. There are moments when he can take over a game and other times when he disappears for stretches. To be truly successful at the next level, he will need to become a more consistent presence on the field, showing up every game and making plays on a regular basis. His ability to close out games and maintain his intensity for all four quarters will be an important factor in his development.

3. Expanding Pass Rush Moves

While Sorrell has a handful of pass-rush moves in his arsenal, he will need to continue expanding his repertoire to become a more unpredictable and dynamic rusher. Developing counter moves, such as a double-hand swipe or a faster spin move, could help him break free from blockers when his initial move is shut down.

By diversifying his approach and becoming more versatile as a rusher, Sorrell will be able to give NFL offensive tackles even more trouble.

Projected NFL Fit and Projection

Barryn Sorrell’s blend of size, athleticism, and football IQ makes him an ideal fit for many NFL defensive schemes. His ability to rush the passer, defend against the run, and play multiple positions along the defensive front makes him a valuable asset for any team in need of an edge rusher.

Sorrell could fit well as a 3-4 outside linebacker in a defense that utilizes a stand-up rusher. Teams that run a 4-3 defense could use him as a traditional defensive end, where he would play in a more conventional role. Given his ability to bend the edge and make plays in space, Sorrell would also thrive in a hybrid role, used in passing situations to create pressure and disrupt the quarterback.

As for his draft projection, Sorrell is expected to be selected in the second to third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Depending on his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine and his interviews with teams, he could even rise into the first round as teams begin to prioritize edge rushers who can make an immediate impact.