Colby Sorsdal: Lions' Offensive Line Is 'Special'

Colby Sorsdal is ready to soak up all the knowledge he can in the Detroit Lions' offensive line room.

Detroit Lions rookie offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal is ready to embark on a major jump from the small college ranks to the NFL.

Sorsdal, a fifth-round pick (No. 152 overall) of the Lions in the 2023 draft, hails from William & Mary, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school located in Williamsburg, Va.

The 6-foot-6, 305-pounder suited up for 46 career games with the Colonial Athletic Association program. In that time, he was a two-time All-CAA selection (third team in 2021 and first team in 2022). He also earned All-America First Team honors from the Associated Press as a senior.

Sorsdal understands that a significant part of his transition to the pro ranks will be adjusting to the increased speed of the NFL game.

“Everybody says it, and it’s kind of a cliche answer. But, everybody is stronger, everybody is faster. And, you know, everybody is really good,” Sorsdal said of the difference in talent at the NFL level. “So, just kind of adjusting to the speed of the game, and seeing things the right way. And seeing things, you know, technique-wise and all that. Just getting in with it, and working on it.”

Sorsdal is joining a Lions offensive line that is considered to be one of the best in the league. The line is anchored by Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, and features two of the best tackles in the league in left tackle Taylor Decker and right tackle Penei Sewell.

The William & Mary product, meanwhile, is expected to provide depth for Detroit at the right guard spot, which is presently occupied by the oft-injured Halapoulivaati Vaitai.

Sorsdal is looking forward to soaking up all the knowledge he can from his new team’s veteran O-line group.

“It means the world to come in here and learn. Like I said, I love to learn,” Sorsdal expressed. “I love to get better at what I do. You know, to have this kind of group, to be surrounded by this much talent, it’s special. And, you can kind of feel it in the room, saying, ‘Hey, you’ve got to earn your keep here, because this is a special room.’”

Sorsdal is one of four players from the Lions’ 2023 draft class to have already signed their rookie deal. He reportedly inked a four-year, $4.16 million contract, with a signing bonus of $320,084. Additionally, he’s expected to make $830,021 during his inaugural NFL campaign.

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