_(cropped).jpg) Sorensen with theKansas City Chiefs in 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
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| Born: | (1990-03-05)March 5, 1990 (age 35) Riverside, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 208 lb (94 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school: | Colton (Colton, California) | ||||||||||||||||
| College: | BYU (2008, 2011–2013) | ||||||||||||||||
| Position: | Safety | ||||||||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||
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Daniel Sorensen (born March 5, 1990) is an American professionalfootballsafety. He playedcollege football atBYU.
Leaving his home state of California Sorensen became a four-year letterwinner at BYU Sorensen played in 51 games, recording 211 tackles (122 solo), 1.0 sack (-9 yards), eight interceptions returned for 81 yards and one touchdown, a school-record 23 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Sorensen was named a team captain and earned first-team Phil Steele All-Independent honors as a senior.
On May 11, 2014, theKansas City Chiefs signed Sorensen to a two-year,$930,000contract after he wentundrafted during the2014 NFL draft.[1][2] After going undrafted, Sorensen received calls and offers from multiple teams, but stated he chose to accept the Chiefs' offer because they showed they really wanted him by having head coach Andy Reid call him personally.[3]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Sorensen's NFL Combine workout |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft1+3⁄8 in (1.86 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 31 in (0.79 m) | 8+1⁄2 in (0.22 m) | 4.67 s | 1.60 s | 2.69 s | 3.95 s | 6.47 s | 32 in (0.81 m) | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) | 13 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine[4][5] | ||||||||||||
Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup safety againstSanders Commings,Jerron McMillian, and Malcolm Bronson.[6] He received an opportunity to display his ability after Commings aggravated a foot injury and missed the majority of training camp. He went on to start three preseason games at strong safety afterEric Berry sustained an injury to his heel.[3] On August 28, 2014, Sorensen recorded five combined tackles and a pass deflection during a 34–14 loss at theGreen Bay Packers in their fourth preseason games. He started all four preseason game and recorded nine combined tackles (seven solo) and a pass deflection.[7] Head coachAndy Reid named Sorensen the backup strong safety, behind Eric Berry, to begin the regular season.[8]
He made his professional regular season debut in theKansas City Chiefs' season-opener against theTennessee Titans and recorded his first career tackle onCoty Sensabaugh after Sensabaugh recovered a fumble by Titans' kick returnerLeon Washington during a Titans' kick return in the second quarter of their 16–10 loss.[9] On September 9, 2014, Sorensen was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs and was signed to the practice squad two days later. It was reported his demotion to practice squad was due to two blunders on special teams that resulted in a failed fake punt and an offsides penalty during their 24–10 victory against theNew York Jets.[10] He was promoted back to the active roster on November 1, 2014.[11] On December 28, 2014, Sorensen recorded a season-high two solo tackles in the Chiefs' 19–7 victory against theSan Diego Chargers. He finished his rookie season with seven combined tackles (six solo) in nine games and zero starts and was a consistent contributor on special teams.[7]
Sorensen entered training camp competing for a roster spot as a backup safety against Sanders Commings,Kelcie McCray, andJustin Cox.[12] Defensive coordinatorBob Sutton named Sorensen the third free safety on the depth chart to start the 2015 regular season, behind starterHusain Abdullah andEric Berry.[13] He was also named the starting punt protector by special teams coachDave Toub.[14]
In Week 10, Sorensen recorded three solo tackles and his first career pass deflection during a 29–13 victory at theDenver Broncos.[15] On December 6, 2015, Sorensen made combined tackles and his first career sack on quarterbackDerek Carr in the Chiefs' 34–20 victory at theOakland Raiders in Week 13.[16] He finished the2015 season with 23 combined tackles (20 solo), two pass deflections, and a sack in 16 games and zero starts.[17]
TheKansas City Chiefs finished second in theAFC West with an 11–5 record. On January 9, 2016, Sorensen appeared in his first career playoff game as the Chiefs routed theHouston Texans 30–0 in the AFC Wildcard Game. The following week, he made one tackle in during a 27–20 loss at theNew England Patriots in the AFC Divisional round.[15]
During OTA's and training camp, Sorensen competed for a role as a backup safety againstJamell Fleming,Eric Murray, Shakiel Randolph,Stevie Brown, andAkeem Davis.[18] Head coachAndy Reid named him the backup strong safety behindEric Berry to begin the regular season in 2016.[19]
On September 25, 2016, Sorensen recorded two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterbackRyan Fitzpatrick during a 24–3 victory against theNew York Jets in Week 3.[20] In Week 7, Sorensen made six solo tackles, a pass deflection, a sack, and returned an interception byDrew Brees for a 48-yard touchdown in the Chiefs' 27–21 win against theNew Orleans Saints. His score in the first quarter was the first touchdown of his career.[15][21] The following week, he collected a season-high seven solo tackles during a 30–14 win at theIndianapolis Colts.[15] On December 4, 2016, Sorensen earned his first career start, as a nickelback, in place of an injuredPhillip Gaines.[22] He recorded five combined tackles and broke up a pass in a 29–28 victory at theAtlanta Falcons.[15] In Week 14, Sorensen collected a season-high eight combined tackles during a 21–13 victory against theOakland Raiders.[23] He finished the2016 season with 63 combined tackles (55 solo), six pass deflections, three interceptions, a sack, and a touchdown in 16 games and one start.[17]
On March 11, 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Sorensen to a four-year, $16 million contract extension that includes a $4 millionsigning bonus.[24]
He entered training camp slated as a backup safety, but saw minor competition from Eric Murray,Steven Terrell,Leon McQuay III,Marqueston Huff, and Jordan Stern.[25] Defensive coordinatorBob Sutton named Sorensen the backup strong safety, behind Eric Berry, to start the regular season.[26]
Starting strong safetyEric Berry tore his Achilles tendon in the Chiefs' season-opening 42–27 victory at theNew England Patriots and missed the rest of the season.[27] Due to Berry's injury, Sorensen became the starter at strong safety. On September 17, 2017, Sorensen made his second career start, but first as a safety, in the Chiefs' 27–20 win against thePhiladelphia Eagles and recorded six solo tackles.[28] In Week 11, he recorded six combined tackles, deflected a pass, and intercepted a pass by running backShane Vereen in a 12–9 loss at theNew York Giants.[28] Sorensen made the interception in the first quarter after Vereen attempted a pass on a half back option to tight endEvan Engram.[29] On December 3, 2017, Sorensen collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (six solo) in Kansas City's 38–31 loss at theNew York Jets in Week 13.[28] He was inactive for the Chiefs' Week 17 victory at theDenver Broncos.[28] Head coach Andy Reid opted to rest him as the Chiefs had already clinched a playoff berth. He finished the season with 89 combined tackles (67 solo), six pass deflections, 1.5 sacks, and an interception in 15 games and 14 starts.[17]
TheKansas City Chiefs finished the 2017 season atop theAFC West with a 10–6 record. On January 6, 2018, Sorenson started a playoff game for the first time in his four-year career and recorded three combined tackles during a 22–21 loss to theTennessee Titans.[28]
On September 2, 2018, Sorensen was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in training camp.[30] He was activated off injured reserve on November 6, 2018.[31] In Week 17, in a 35–3 victory over theOakland Raiders, he recorded his second career pick-six.[32]
In Week 11 against theLos Angeles Chargers onMonday Night Football, Sorensen intercepted a pass thrown byPhilip Rivers in the endzone late in the fourth quarter to seal a 24–17 win.[33]
In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against theHouston Texans, Sorensen recorded a team high nine tackles and stopped Houston Texans safety Justin Reid short of the first down marker, giving the Chiefs the ball back after the Houston Texans attempted a fake punt. Later in the game, Sorensen forced a fumble on Texans kick returnerDeAndre Carter, which was recovered by teammateDarwin Thompson.[34]
InSuper Bowl LIV, Sorensen had six tackles and held Pro Bowl tight endGeorge Kittle to only 36 receiving yards in the 31–20 victory over theSan Francisco 49ers.[35][36]
In Week 6 against theBuffalo Bills, Sorensen intercepted a pass thrown byJosh Allen late in the fourth quarter to help secure a 26–17 Chiefs' win.[37] In Week 7 against theDenver Broncos, Sorensen intercepted a pass thrown byDrew Lock and returned it for a 50 yard touchdown during the 43–16 win.[38] In Week 11 against theLas Vegas Raiders onSunday Night Football, Sorensen intercepted a pass thrown byDerek Carr late in the fourth quarter to secure a 35–31 win for the Chiefs.[39] Overall, Sorensen finished the 2020 season with 91 total tackles, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions.[40]
Sorensen re-signed with the Chiefs on March 29, 2021.[41] He entered the season as the third safety behindTyrann Mathieu andJuan Thornhill. He played in 17 games with 7 starts, recording 51 tackles, one sack, eight passes defensed, and two interceptions.[42]
Sorensen signed with theNew Orleans Saints on March 25, 2022.[43] He played in all 17 games with two starts, recording 25 tackles, three passes defensed, and two interceptions.[44]
On September 27, 2023, Sorensen signed with the Saints practice squad.[45] He was released on December 5, 2023 after two games being active with the team.[46][47]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2014 | KC | 9 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | KC | 16 | 0 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | KC | 16 | 1 | 63 | 55 | 8 | 1.0 | 6 | 3 | 48 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 56 | 0 |
| 2017 | KC | 15 | 14 | 89 | 67 | 22 | 1.5 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | KC | 7 | 3 | 26 | 14 | 12 | 0.0 | 2 | 1 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | KC | 16 | 3 | 57 | 44 | 13 | 0.0 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | KC | 15 | 11 | 91 | 68 | 23 | 0.0 | 5 | 3 | 67 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | KC | 17 | 7 | 51 | 40 | 11 | 1.0 | 8 | 2 | 75 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | NO | 17 | 2 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 0.0 | 3 | 2 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 128 | 41 | 432 | 329 | 103 | 4.5 | 36 | 14 | 303 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 56 | 0 | |
Sorensen was raised by his parents, Kory and Roxann Sorensen, inGrand Terrace, California. He served a 2-year mission forthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Jose, Costa Rica. He has a sister named Emily and four brothers named Trevan, Bryan, Cody, and Brad. His older brother,Brad Sorensen, played college football atSouthern Utah.[3]