AUSTIN (KXAN) — He’s pushing 260 pounds, but Texas edge rusher Barryn Sorrell can move for a big man.
At the NFL scouting combine Thursday, Sorrell finished in the upper echelon of the edge rushers in the event’s glamour drill, running the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds. He tied with Arkansas’ Landon Jackson for eighth overall in the position group.
Sorrell finished in 4.72 seconds on his first attempt, improving by .04 seconds on his second try to get his official time. James Pearce Jr., from Tennessee, ran the fastest time in 4.47 seconds. Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart finished in 4.59.
Sorrell also had impressive marks in the 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle run. He finished second overall in the 3-cone drill at 7.06 seconds and third in the 20-yard shuttle at 4.36 seconds. The drills are used to evaluate agility and explosiveness, two traits that Lance Zierlein of the NFL Network said Sorrell will use to his advantage in the future.
“Sorrell’s measurables and speed won’t be eye-catching, but he’s very consistent and plays with good technique,” Zierlein said. “He plays with adequate power at the point and can work around blocks and into the backfield.”
Zeirlein grades Sorrell as someone who “will eventually be an average starter.”
Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins didn’t run at the combine, but Zeirlein said Collins has “outstanding physical traits to blend right into an NFL defensive rotation.”
At 6-foot-6 and 332 pounds, Collins is graded as someone who will “eventually be a plus starter.” He was an Associated Press second-team All-American this past season.
Texas defensive tackle Vernon Broughton was also at the combine but didn’t do any drills. He’s graded as a “good backup with the potential to develop into a starter.”
Defensive linemen and linebackers did most of their testing today but won’t do the bench press competition until Friday. Defensive backs and tight ends begin on-field drills Friday with quarterbacks, running backs and receivers Saturday. Offensive linemen begin drills Sunday.
Texas had a program-record 14 players invited to the combine, held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The combine continues through March 3.
