When you look at the narratives entering the 2021 NFL draft, skepticism surrounding the profile of former Oregon Ducks left tackle Penei Sewell is not very prevalent.
There of course are your one-off draft analysts who think that Sewell may not be the best left tackle prospect in this draft class, listing guys like USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker, or Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater higher than him on their big-boards, but by almost any account, it’s practically consensus that Sewell will be drafted in the top-10 come draft day.
The same couldn’t be said about former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert a year ago, however. The dynamite QB was thought to be among the top at his position entering the draft, but there were a lot of questions about his leadership abilities, and lack of a strong voice in the locker room. The arm talent and physical attributes were there, but a majority of analysts were crying bust before the draft even started, and the Los Angeles Chargers selected Herbert with the sixth overall pick.
He sure proved everyone wrong.
Herbert quickly established himself as the heavy favorite to win the Offensive Rooke of the Year award, and he finished his debut season with 31 touchdowns and 4,336 yards with 10 interceptions. However, despite the recent success from Herbert, some of the things that were said about him still stick in the minds of his former teammates. In particular, Sewell has taken some umbrage with the past comments.
“To see the slander Justin Herbert was getting, I even hurt,” Sewell told USA TODAY Sports over Zoom on Thursday. “I was even hurting. I took it personal, too, like, ‘Why y’all even think this and that?’ Then I was like – just wait. Just wait ’til he has his opportunity. Justin Herbert will do Justin Herbert things.”
As a left tackle who played alongside Herbert for his career at Oregon, it comes as no surprise for Sewell to stand up for his QB, who he has made a career out of protecting. As Sewell enters the NFL and finds a new QB to protect, you can bet that the same brotherhood will still live on between these Men of Oregon.
[vertical-gallery id=1004]