From Thunder to Lightning

The saga of a 5′ 8″ 140-pound Grand Terrace ninth grader known as Bradley (Brad) Sorensen trying to make the Colton High School freshman football team to a 6′ 5″ 230-pound 3rd string quarterback (presently) for the San Diego Chargers has been one of triumph over adversity. Sorensen had never played football until he tried out for the team during his freshman year at Colton High School (CHS) in 2002 and soon found out that the quickness and evasiveness he learned under the instruction of his father, Kory Sorensen, while playing league soccer would provide him the basic skills needed to play the position of quarterback in high school. Of course, having a gifted right throwing arm didn’t hurt either. Sorensen comes from a family rich in athleticism, with parents Kory and Roxann supporting each of their children, six in total: Trevan played football for University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV); Cody played football for Chaffey and the University of Utah; Emily played soccer and volleyball at CHS; Bryan played football at San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) Tight End JC All American; Bradley played football at CHS, SBVC, Brigham Young University (BYU), Southern Utah University, San Diego Chargers; and Daniel plays for BYU. With this strong family support and a willingness to be a leader, Roxann said, “Bradley always felt comfortable in his leadership role as quarterback, as was shown by his football record at Colton High. In 2002, the Colton freshman team was undefeated and SAL Champs. His sophomore year, Colton High was undefeated at 10–0. In his junior year, he threw for over 1,275 yards and nine touchdowns while helping the Yellowjacket squad to be Citrus Belt champions. Finally, in his senior year, he earned first team all-league and all-county honors with a 73% completion record which totaled over 2,119 yards and 27 touchdowns.” Upon graduating from CHS and before his serving on his LDS church mission to Málaga, Spain, Brad spent 2006 playing for San Bernardino Valley College, where he earned first team all-Foothill Conference honors and threw for 2,280 yards and 17 touchdowns with only four interceptions. After serving his mission in 2007 and 2008, Brad was invited to try out for the BYU football team, but with an overloaded number of scholarship quarterbacks on the squad, the coaches decided to redshirt Brad for the 2009 season. At the start of the 2010 season, the head coach at Southern Utah University (Thunderbirds) placed a call to BYU and asked about Brad to see if it was all right for him to visit their school and try out. BYU agreed. Brad fell in love with the school and in 2010 he earned first team all-Great West Conference honors both from SUU coaches and the media. Plus, he completed 261 of 390 passes for a school record of 3,163 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. In 2011, Brad was named the Great West Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, and earned first team all-GWC honors from both the league coaches and media for the second straight season with 3,143 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. Kory says, “Brad’s final year at SUU (2012) was his best because he was a Payton Award finalist. He threw for over 3,139 yards and 23 touchdowns, which gave him three seasons with over 3,000 passing yards, and he was the school’s all-time leading passer that earned him the FCS Elite Quarterback Award from College Football Performance Awards, and he received All-American recognition from the College Sports Journal.” Brad would say the greatest award that he received while attending school at SUU was meeting Nikki Packham and marrying her on January 19, 2012, who was attending SUU at the same time. Once his college career was over with the Thunderbirds, Brad was on the NFL’s radar and several pro teams were interested in seeing what Brad’s true potential could be in the professional ranks. He was invited to the NFL Combine to show off his talents. Roxann says, “A couple of teams showed interest in Brad, but the San Diego Chargers (Lightning Bolts) were adamant and took him in the seventh round of the NFL draft. Brad has said he has a 4-game season (preseason games) to prove himself and win a place on the 53-man roster. Thus far he has done pretty well in two of them. He keeps telling us not to worry because he feels confident about his abilities.” Christopher Hanewinckel (USA Today) reports that over the first two preseason games, “Sorensen has proved to the Chargers that he’s worth spending a roster spot on. He’s been consistent and reliable, keeping the ball away from the defense while efficiently moving the offense down the field.” Knowing Brad’s tenacity, confidence level and family support, I feel Hanewinckel is correct in his assessment of the situation and Brad Sorensen will be a Charger.