Former BYU standout and Super Bowl champion Daniel Sorensen shared his journey from undrafted free agent to NFL success during UVU’s Halladay Lecture Series. His message to students: adversity is opportunity. Through discipline, faith, and persistence, Sorensen reminded attendees that lasting success comes from preparation, resilience, and never giving up on your goals.
Daniel shared his inspiring journey from being an undrafted free agent to becoming a key contributor on one of the NFL’s most successful teams. His story was one of resilience, faith, and determination, and a reminder that success often comes not from perfect circumstances but from persistence and preparation.
After going undrafted out of BYU, Daniel faced an uphill battle. He initially made the roster, was later cut, and spent time on the practice squad, where his position felt week-to-week. Many in his shoes might have gone home, but Daniel made the decision to stay and fight for his dream. He began training four times a week with the strength coach, studying film on his own, and finding ways to get better each day, even when no one was watching.
During this period, he practiced daily against teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, two of the NFL’s best offensive players. Though his role was to help them improve, Daniel viewed those moments as his opportunity to grow, sharpen his skills, and prove he belonged.
Daniel spoke about what he called “making the jump,” finding a way to rise above the average NFL career span of just a few years. To do that, he focused on being coachable, accepting criticism, and learning from veterans who had done it right. He encouraged students to find mentors early in their careers, explaining that modeling after those who have already succeeded helps shorten the learning curve and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
“Decide early to be great,” he said, emphasizing that excellence is intentional. Rather than relying on motivation, Daniel built habits and routines that became his foundation for long-term growth. “The habits you create, create you,” he explained. “They will push you further than motivation and separate you from the competition.”
Heading into what was shaping up to be his breakout season, Daniel was having one of the best offseasons of his career and was projected to start at safety. But during the very last practice of training camp, he suffered a devastating leg injury, shattering bones in his tibia and suddenly facing months of recovery. It was his first major setback, yet he refused to let it define him. Daniel attacked his rehab with determination and eventually returned to finish the season strong. The following year, despite losing his starting spot to another player, he stayed ready and gave his best in every role. Late that season, when the starter ahead of him tore his ACL just before the playoffs, Daniel stepped in prepared. Even after giving up an early touchdown, he regrouped, refocused, and helped his team secure a crucial win, a moment that taught him never to let one bad play turn into a bad game.
One of the most memorable moments of Daniel’s talk came as he described a play that literally came down to “the last blade of grass.” His tackle stopped an opponent within a yard of scoring, and the phrase “keep fighting to the very last blade of grass” became a metaphor for how he approaches life.
He reminded students that there are no perfect plays and no perfect plans. “It won’t always be pretty,” he said. “But there’s always a way. In football and in life, the difference between winning and losing is often just inches.”
Daniel closed with a message about staying hungry and continuing to grow. “There are no finish lines,” he said. “Be proud of your progress, but stay humble and hungry. Set your horizon, work hard, and don’t get discouraged by where you’re not yet. Be motivated by how far you’ve come, and dance your way into the end zone.”
His central message was clear: adversity is opportunity. By embracing challenges, building habits, and maintaining faith through difficulty, Daniel has continued to find success on and off the field.
The Woodbury School of Business extends sincere gratitude to Daniel Sorenson for sharing his powerful story and insights with UVU students. His example of resilience, preparation, and perseverance left a lasting impression, reminding everyone that even when the odds are stacked against you, with hard work, faith, and focus, you can always find a way.
Want to catch every insight from this year’s Halladay Lecture Series?
Watch Daniel Sorensen's full lecture below.
