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Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 12 — Penei Sewell
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- Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 12 — Penei Sewell
Over the last 25 years, the Oregon Ducks have been one of the single best teams in all of college football, sitting near the top of the sport for the better part of a quarter-century.
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.
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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.
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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
Apr 20, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) points the scoreboard after the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium. Mighty Oregon beat Fighting Ducks 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
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.
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Penei Sewell Career Stats
Dec 6, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) is upended in the first quarrter as Utah Utes defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1), defensive tackle John Penisini (52) and defensive end Bradlee Anae (6)watch during the Pac-12 Conference championship game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
21 games, allowed just one sack in 1,376 snaps
Best Single Season
Apr 20, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) blocks a defender during the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium. Mighty Oregon beat Fighting Ducks 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
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.
Historical Records
Sep 8, 2018; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) celebrates with wide receiver Jaylon Redd (30) and offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) after catching a touchdown pass during the first half against the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
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First Polynesian, first sophomore offensive lineman and first Duck to win the Outland Trophy.
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Joined LaMichael James (2010) and Marcus Mariota (2014) as the only Oregon players to be unanimous first-team All-Americans.
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Finished sophomore campaign as the top-graded offensive lineman in PFF history (since 2014).
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Polynesian College Football Co-Player of the Year
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Morris Trophy Winner
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AP Pac-12 Co-Offensive Player of the Year
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PFF Pac-12 Player of the Year
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Unanimous first-team All-American
Penei Sewell NFL Draft
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) watches practice during OTA at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 30, 2025.
Sewell was the No. 7 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft and was taken by the Detroit Lions .
Penei Sewell NFL Success
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) celebrates a play against Tennessee Titans with offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
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.
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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
Nov 23, 2019; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks tackle Penei Sewell (58) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks football's top 25 players since 2000: No. 12 Penei Sewell
