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September 19, 2025 11 mins
In this episode of the Packers POV podcast, defensive lineman Barryn Sorrell talks about his close connection with family, discusses his unique relationship with Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey and details the impactful mentorship of teammate Rashan Gary.

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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hello, and welcome to Packers POV, a podcast that aims
to shine a light on the human behind the helmet.
I'm your host, Taylor Rodgers, and we're here inside historic
lambeau Field. Today's guest hails from the Big Easy. For
undergrad he chose the University of Texas, where he earned
honor roll all four years. He also collected fifteen sacks

(00:27):
and over two dozen tackles for loss. Introducing new Packers
d Lineman Baron Joseph Currell. How's it going, Baron?

Speaker 2 (00:35):
It was good? Thank you for having me. How you knowing?

Speaker 1 (00:37):
I'm doing well man and really excited to talk to you,
so thanks for making time to join us here.

Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yep, thank you for having me.

Speaker 1 (00:44):
Now, you grew up in New Orleans East, you played
all the sports growing up. When did football pull you
into where you knew this was the one.

Speaker 3 (00:51):
Yeah, since I was younger, my dad was a really
really big football fan, and I've been playing football since
I can remember, since I was five or six years old.
Able to get into the tackle football league back in
New Orleans and we.

Speaker 2 (01:05):
Called it parkball.

Speaker 3 (01:05):
So I started parkball early on, and it was something
that obviously I just always played my dad kind of
put me in it, and I always was just like
a natural competitive So it was just fun out there
for me, just going out.

Speaker 2 (01:16):
There playing and competing with kids.

Speaker 3 (01:18):
But I say for me, especially in high school, is
when I kind of had something deeper happened to me,
and it kind of just gave me a connection of
football that I didn't really have before and thankful that
I have football.

Speaker 2 (01:31):
Now.

Speaker 1 (01:31):
You mentioned high school. You went to Holy Cross in
New Orleans, and I understand you played tight end to
start out.

Speaker 3 (01:38):
Yeah, So at first started off playing tight end and
r receiving my freshman and sophomore year, and at that
point kind of realized that I'm more of a defensive
type of guy and wanted to make that switch, and
coaches always was messing with me, like, imagine what you
could do at on the defensive side of the ball.

Speaker 2 (01:54):
Imagine what you could do.

Speaker 3 (01:55):
So I just tried it out my junior year and
things kind of took off for me, whether that was
production and recruitment, and I just felt more natural there,
And honestly, for me, especially in high school, I just
felt like defensive line is something that you could come
into every game and affect the game, and it's up
to you. You know, our receiver, you have to have
a good quarterback and tight end as well. But defensive line,

(02:16):
like it's a matchup type of game. You get to
line up and I like that. I'm in control of
my own destiny. And that's the thing I love the
most about defensive line.

Speaker 1 (02:23):
One of your coaches there at holy Cross, coach Salt,
said this about you, He's a genius. He'll pick up
the playbook quickly. You don't have to tell him twice.
How did that skill learning new concepts fast help that
transition over from offense to defense.

Speaker 2 (02:39):
Yeah, helped a lot.

Speaker 3 (02:40):
I mean obviously, the FASTI able to pick up on things,
the FASTI able to play and be more natural and playing.
And for me, once I made that switch, it's all
up to me. I'm very self motivated. I don't really
need anybody to constantly tell me what to do, so
I already knew what I had to do once I
switched in. I mean, they were like, here's the playbook,
and it's like, all right, now it's on me. How
am I gonna get it in? I mean, at that point,
all just up to hard work and dedication. How much

(03:02):
am I willing to dedicate and sacrifice all of my
off time into you know, learning and studying these plays.
That's what I did, and I feel like that's why
I'm able to pick up on things quickly.

Speaker 1 (03:12):
It sounds like you had some self motivation pushing you
at an early age. You ended up earning a four
point six GPA in high school. So when you first
stepped onto the UT campus, what did you feel was
your greatest strength?

Speaker 3 (03:24):
For me, it was just that chip and that internal
motivation that I've always had. I'm always had that chip
on my shoulder just going through high school and my
recruitment process was a little bit different and just my
why the reason why I play. I mean, I lost
my brother when I was sixteen years old, and that's
just something that motivated me and gave me just a
deeper sense of what I wanted out of football, what

(03:44):
I wanted out of life. And you know, the things
that you learned just through that process, and you know,
going through those type of things, you know they stay
with you forever. And coming from high school to college,
like I knew, I mean, it's only gonna be a
matter of time, but I knew that there's nothing that's
gonna stop me. I mean, I'm gonna go there. I'm
an hop on this campus. My head's gonna be done,
but I'm gonna work my way up. And that's what
I did. And just happy that I chose Texas because

(04:06):
it was a great learning opportunity for me from my
freshman year to my senior year and just the process
of going from five to seven my freshman year to
two back to back college football playoffs. You know, showings
and the things that you learning at is something that
sticks with you for life. So I mean I kind
of know the recipe and I'm just ready to, you know,
reciprocate that.

Speaker 1 (04:25):
At this level, you have a very strong support system.
It's something that you mentioned in person on the day
you got drafted, which you happen to be right here
in Green Bay for Can you talk about those people
in your life that have changed the game for you.

Speaker 3 (04:38):
Yeah, it all starts with my parents. I mean I
have a really good support system with those two. And
in New Orleans, you know, things are a little bit different,
especially just for the opportunities and the recruitment process. Like
I mean, the Catholic League and that's the biggest league
for high school football. And back when I was there,
I mean there wasn't really many public schools there and
my parents sacrificed a lot to get me there just

(04:59):
so I can play compete against the best, and that
was something that I never took lightly. And obviously just
watching him work multiple jobs, watching them work and sacrifice
for me is something that always was in my heart
and I just never wanted that to go to waste.
So every day I woke up starting in the classroom,
knew that I was gonna have to get them all there,
but knowing that with football, like I gotta go out

(05:20):
there and I gotta, you know, make plays, I gotta
get recruited, because I never wanted that to go to waste,
and I wanted to show my appreciation for them through
my game. And then it goes to my two brothers.
My oldest brother right now, he lives in New York
and he does investment being in go in Saxon. He's
just always been a constant support, you know, a good
piece of support for me and thank for having me

(05:42):
all my life. And then my biggest why is my
oldest brother. I lost him when I was sixteen, and
I mean, man, it was suicide, and it's something that
you know, it was the most humbling experience in my life, honestly,
and just to watching the way it affected my family
and affected me. But you know, grow and coming out
on other side of that, I mean, I grew strong

(06:03):
in my fate. I became a better football player. It's
just like everything, you know, it's kind of cliche, is
everything happens for a reason, but you could definitely learn
how of all of your experiences, and that was just
my most grounding experience that catapulted me too. Everything that
I've gotten in I pay a big tribute to him
because not only am I he gave me the biggest

(06:25):
motivation and gives me a different motor when I'm out
there on the field. But I know that he's looking down,
you know, proud of me, and that keeps me going
and that gives me an edge on my opponents because
you know, I'm playing for something bigger than just regular football.

Speaker 1 (06:38):
When we talked about motivation a few minutes ago, I
think that motivation doesn't necessarily come only from within. It
sounds like you've got motivation coming from your family in
its entirety, and on campus, you clearly had that motivation
on the football field as well. You ended with a
career high in sacks, and you had some people on

(06:58):
the sideline. One of the most notable is Matthew McConaughey
joining you and really backing you guys. It seems all
the way through the draft. Did you have any interactions
with him that stood out?

Speaker 2 (07:11):
Yeah, I had a lot of interactions with him me.

Speaker 3 (07:12):
He definitely traveled with us to every game just throughout
my career, so I've seen a lot of them. And
it's funny because I mean, we're out there and coaches
giving the pregame speech and we're out here with Jank
and ir Gatoray getting ready for game, and I look
to it Wright and Matthew McConaughey's right here drinking his
catorye too. So it's just a good thing to have,
you know, that type of support. But it just reminds you,
and I'm thankful to play for the University of Texas

(07:33):
and have those type of connections and have those type
of people on the sideline rooting for you, because it
goes a long way, you know, and you know, support
it is something that is big for all of us
and thankful to the University of Texas for having people
like that around this.

Speaker 1 (07:44):
Well said, and since no one's watching this interview, I
do want to make it clear that Baron is currently
drinking burnt Orange cat Aye as we speak. So even
though it's green and gold now, burnt orange is here
to stay.

Speaker 2 (07:58):
Yepys always gonna have a special place in my heart
for sure.

Speaker 1 (08:01):
And McConaughey's tweet right after you got drafted Red Wild
Dog on the Edge loves the game. Do you have
any message you'd like to deliver to Matthew McConaughey.

Speaker 3 (08:12):
Yeah, man, I mean, it's always gonna be much love. Man,
I'm a mischie, you know, have you on the sideline
pumping me up, pumping the guys up. But I know
that we're always keep in touch on it. I know
you're always be there watching me and supporting me. So
thankful for the times that.

Speaker 2 (08:25):
I had with you. And you know I appreciate you
for all the support.

Speaker 1 (08:28):
That's beautifully said, and I want to switch gears here
to Green Bay. Before you got drafted, you mentioned studying
the tape of Rashaun Gary. Have you gotten the chance
to pick his brain yet?

Speaker 2 (08:40):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (08:40):
I mean, it's been every day, but I mean I
just knew that coming in here, Like obviously, I want
to be the best. I want to be one of
the greatest, and I'm gonna obviously, you know, learn from
whoever's doing, you know, the best right now, and that's
obviously Rashaun Gays are very I mean, he's a top
play in the league right now. So just having that
as a resource, and I mean just off the field
things talking to him about how he went through his

(09:02):
rookie year and any type of things and tells and little,
you know, tweaks to my game that I can make
to you know, make me a better player. But things
that he's done and things that he's been through, he's
just been giving them all to me. So I'm thankful
to have a vet like him who's been open and
just honest with me and helping me out in any
way that he can. It's been a blessing.

Speaker 1 (09:20):
Is there any other Packers player, coach, or staffer who's
helped to make Green Bay feel like home?

Speaker 2 (09:26):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (09:26):
For me, I got some really good coaches in my
defense alar Room, and I'm blessed to have them. Coach
VO and coach DC especially coach Vio, just because he's
the guy that's running out rookie meetings and he's actually
sitting there being patient, breaking things down for us, and
you know, just the tension to detail that he has
as a coach and the way he's able to explain things,
it helps me and helps other people get it. So

(09:47):
he's been very, very helpful in my development, and I
definitely attribute a lot to how well I'm doing in
practice to him because he's been since day one just
consistent every day pushing me to get better, me different details,
and coaching me hard. And that's the way I want
to be coached, because I want to be great. So
I'm just blessed and thankful to be here at the
package because although I highlighted them, it's so many people

(10:10):
on the staff that's been helping me a lot and
just you know, making this transition easier for me.

Speaker 1 (10:15):
You spoke to the media earlier this summer and this
line hit me. You said, since being a kid, I
wanted to be a professional football player. I'm doing this
for that little kid. Is there anything you want to
say to that little kid?

Speaker 2 (10:28):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (10:28):
Man, I would have just said just keep going. You know,
you don't know how things are going to shape out,
but it's about your work, ethic, your determination, your faith
in God, just you know, continuously working every day and
finding ways to get better. And you know, don't listen
to other people and other opinions and don't pay too
close attention to just the circumstances you're in because your

(10:50):
work and your determination is what's going to get you
out of that. So just stay on your path, keep
working hard, and that's how I got here. So it's
definitely been a blessing. But I definitely say to all
of the kids, just believe in yourself, you know, and
go all in. You can't be half in and half oh.
You gotta go all in on your dream and then
that's when you really get the results that you want.

Speaker 1 (11:09):
Well, today was super special getting the chance to talk
with you, and you're an inspiring man. Appreciate the time, Baron.

Speaker 2 (11:15):
Thank you for having me.

Speaker 1 (11:16):
God bless and thank you for listening to packers pov.

Speaker 2 (11:20):
To keep up with

Speaker 1 (11:21):
Baron's journey, follow him on X and ig Baron Sorel,
take care and see you next time.
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