New Orleans native could be drafted back home by Saints

By Ross Jackson

There are a few Louisiana-born players that will be hoping to hear their names called during this week’s 2025 NFL Draft, one of which should be of particular interest for New Orleans Saints fans. Texas defensive lineman Barryn Sorrell is a Holy Cross High School grad that could find his way back to his home town as a selection in this year’s NFL Draft.

Sorrell (6-foot-3, 256 lbs.) not only checks the size box of a prototypical edge rusher for new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s defense, but his scheme versatility and familiarity with a specific member of the Saints’ coaching staff makes him a real name to watch during the selection process.

#Texas EDGE Barryn Sorrell gets lost in this amazing EDGE class, but do not let that fool you

He has some incredible reps that are worth getting excited for if your team selects him in a couple weeks pic.twitter.com/P6zlqEAyLJ

— Hail Mary Sports (@hailmarysportss) April 11, 2025

Sorrell was coached by defensive line coach Bo Davis from 2021 through the 2023 season before Davis made the leap from Austin to Baton Rouge.

Davis now serves as the Saints’ new defensive line coach. After four years at the college level, he now returns to the NFL with intimate knowledge of the skills of a few of this year’s draft-eligible pass rushers. Sorrell is joined by a series of other Texas defensive linemen such as big defensive tackle Alfred Collins and more LSU trench defenders that have all spent some time with Davis.

However, the Saints have shown a proclivity over the last few offseasons for bringing homegrown athletes back to New Orleans, or at least Louisiana. Sorrell could be the next. New Orleans and Sorrell have already been linked this offseason as well with an in-person meeting.

With six sacks and 11 tackles for a loss last year, the Longhorn edge defender showed what he could do both as a pass rusher and run defender. He is also scheme versatile as someone that can put his hand in the dirt and rush from over the offensive tackle but also stand up outside the tight end and run the arc with speed.

Makes a ton of sense that the #Patriots are doing some homework on Sorrell. We’ve heard about their desire to be an aggressive defense, and he plays violent.

Also a freaks list athlete who posted a 9.31 RAS. Definitely a fit in 3-4 round. https://t.co/LuSFPOmzKN pic.twitter.com/FTamqimhYM

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) April 16, 2025

That versatility makes him a solid fit in Staley’s defensive scheme. Throughout this draft which is rich with Louisiana talent, Sorrell may be the most intriguing name to watch with a real shot to find his way back home as a member of the New Orleans Saints this week. 

Sorrell is expected to be a late day two, early day three selection, putting the Saints in good position to land him with four combined selections in the third and fourth rounds.

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