Barryn Sorrell Took Notes, Matthew Golden Took the Mic – Now They Share the Same Playbook in Green Bay

At the University of Texas, you’d find Barryn Sorrell in the back of the room—quiet, head down, taking detailed notes. A few rows up sat Matthew Golden, always alert, always ready with a question. Two players. Two personalities. And yet, both were seen by coaches as the heartbeat of their respective units.

Sorrell, the focused defensive end, rarely spoke unless asked. He studied game film like a chess board, mapping every move with discipline. Meanwhile, Golden, the dynamic wide receiver, used every team meeting as a moment to learn out loud—challenging routes, tweaking timing, asking the “why” behind each play.

Their approaches couldn’t have been more different, but their commitment was identical. Coaches often said, “If we had 11 of either of them, we’d be unbeatable.”

Fast forward to the 2025 NFL Draft—Golden was taken in the 1st round by the Green Bay Packers, Sorrell in the 4th. Neither expected to end up on the same pro roster, but fate had other plans.

Now, inside the Packers’ meeting room, they’ve brought their old habits with them. Sorrell still prefers the back corner, pen in hand. Golden still sits up front, interacting, leading, and absorbing every nuance. But what’s changed is the shared purpose—they’re no longer simply developing themselves, they’re shaping the future of Green Bay football.

“Matt brings the energy,” Sorrell says with a grin. “I bring the focus. Together, it balances.”

Golden agrees. “He’s the kind of guy who watches the entire D-line rotation while I’m talking to the receivers. You don’t find that everywhere.”

Their bond isn’t flashy, but it’s built on deep mutual respect—each one making the other better, just like they did back in Texas. The loud one and the quiet one. Two sides of the same winning formula.

They once sat apart in college rooms—but today, they’re writing the same playbook, chasing the same dream, and proving that leadership comes in many forms.