The Packers’ personnel department was unaware Sorrell paid his way to come to Green Bay, but director-football operations Milt Hendrickson admitted to getting choked up once he was shown the footage of Sorrell’s emotional news conference.

That confirmed a lot of what the Packers learned about Sorrell during the pre-draft process. In addition to being an athletic pass rusher, Sorrell plays with passion, ruggedness and physicality.

Hendrickson believes those traits will keep Sorrell in the league for a very long time.

“You know what it means (to him), not just to be in the National Football League, but to be here,” said Hendrickson, referring to Sorrell being in Green Bay. “For him to bet on himself – if that guy stays healthy, he’s going to play as long as he wants.”

As a prospect, Sorrell has elite upside. He blossomed from a three-star recruit to a three-year starter for the Longhorns, registering 132 tackles (25½ for a loss), 15½ sacks and 29 quarterback hurries in 49 collegiate appearances.

As a senior, Sorrell led Texas with 12 quarterback hurries to go along with 11 tackles for a loss and a career-best six sacks. He attended the Senior Bowl, where he was coached by Packers defensive quality control coach Wendel Davis.

Sorrell attended the NFL Scouting Combine in February and clocked a 4.68 time in the 40-yard dash with a 10-foot-1 broad jump, contributing to his 9.27 (out of 10) relative athletic score.

A student of the game, Sorrell told Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley when he entered Lambeau Field that he’s spent a lot of time studying Rashan Gary’s game and looks forward to learning from Green Bay’s Pro Bowl defensive end.

“I think my best is still in front of me and I’ve just been developing, just getting better year in and year out,” Sorrell said. “Just watching (Gary’s) tape, similar body types, there’s a lot of things that I learned and tried to emulate and use in my game. I’m ready to actually get face to face with him and actually sit down and learn.”

It led to an unforgettable first week in his new home. While Sorrell knew it was unlikely he’d be selected in the first round, he wanted to be in Green Bay for himself and his family.

A lifelong fan of both the NFL and draft itself, Sorrell was overjoyed to share the draft stage with Goodell. Making the ceremonial hug even more special was the fact the NFL commissioner came over and talked with Sorrell after not getting drafted on Friday.

Sorrell arrives in Green Bay two days after the Packers drafted his Texas teammate, receiver Matthew Golden, in the first round (No. 23 overall). They’re the first two Longhorns to be drafted by the Packers since Jermichael Finley in 2008.

It all felt very serendipitous. Or as Hendrickson suggested in his initial remarks about Sorrell…some things are just meant to be.

“I play for something that’s bigger than just football and more to me, and that really just starts with my family,” Sorrell said. “I lost my oldest brother when I was 16 and at that time I had to make a decision in my life, and I made the decision to give football everything that I’ve got.

“I’m always going to have that passion and that hunger and that’s honestly what makes me the player that I am.”