Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 12 — Penei Sewell
Since 2000, Oregon has compiled an overall record of 239-83 (.742), with just two losing seasons during that span. They've been to 24 bowl games, won three Rose Bowls, been to a pair of College Football Playoffs, and appeared in two National Championships. They've seen a Heisman Trophy winner in Marcus Mariota and had 99 players selected in the NFL Draft.
It's safe to say that when looking at the nation's best in this millennium, Oregon belongs in the conversation. But who are the players who helped get Nike University into that conversation? That's a different question entirely.
To celebrate the quarter-century mark, we're going to dive into that question over the next month as we approach the start of the 2025 season. The Ducks have had hundreds of memorable and beloved players over the years, many of whom will live on forever in some way.
But who is the best of the best?
That answer, of course, is subjective. When reviewing the numbers and conducting our research, we took several factors into account: career statistics, overall impact and success, legacy, fan adoration, and NFL success.
Boiling 25 years of Oregon football down to 25 players is no easy task, and not one that we took lightly. Dozens of players were left on the cutting room floor who deserve a spot in the top 25, and at some point, subtracting names off the list started to feel like pulling teeth. But in the end, we were left with 25 players, whom we will honor over the next few weeks.
If you want to catch up, let's take a look at how we've gotten to where we're at in the rankings:
Today, let's continue with No. 12 — the massive offensive lineman Penei Sewell.
Player Overview
It could be argued that Penei Sewell is the best offensive lineman ever to put on a Duck uniform. He just played two seasons thanks to the 2020 pandemic, but for the 2018-19 seasons, there wasn't a better offensive tackle in the country. He won award after award and led an offensive line group that protected Justin Herbert to a 12-2 record and a 28-27 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.
Penei Sewell Career Stats
21 games, allowed just one sack in 1,376 snaps
Best Single Season
2019: 14 games
Sewell's sophomore season saw the big 6-foot-6, 325-pounder come into his own and become one of the top O-linemen in the game. This is what Oregon envisioned when Sewell was recruited as the highest-rated lineman to commit to the Ducks. He went on to win the Outland Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the nation.
Penei Sewell NFL Draft
Sewell was the No. 7 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft and was taken by the Detroit Lions.
Penei Sewell NFL Success
This was the second time in the last quarter century that the Lions selected a Duck in the first round and, Sewell was an overwhelming success. It turns out he was the first step towards Detroit's successful rebuild over the past few years, which has seen them go from league doormats to Super Bowl contenders.
Sewell has been an absolute anchor on the Detroit offensive line, and if everything goes towards their current trajectory, he may have a Super Bowl ring sooner rather than later.
Penei Sewell's Lasting Legacy
It's hard to believe Sewell wasn't a Duck for very long ... just 21 games, but his legacy might be as big as his 6-foot-6 frame. He proved that elite offensive linemen don't have to go to the SEC in order to become a high NFL draft pick and succeed at the next level. Oregon can be a destination for players like him and still have the same accolades and recognition.
There might have been a Josh Conerly, Jr., or a Iapani Laloulu, or even an Isaiah World if it wasn't for the large footprints left behind by Penei Sewell.
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