The Oregon Ducks have had six players selected in the top seven of the NFL draft since 2013, with three picked over the last three straight years: Justin Herbert (2020), Penei Sewell (2021), and Kayvon Thibodeaux (2022). Prior to that defensive end Dion Jordan was the third overall pick in 2013, two years later Marcus Mariota (2015) was selected number two overall, and the following season DeForest Bucker (2016) was selected with the seventh pick.
Only time will tell if the same fate awaits linebacker Noah Sewell, but what is clear is that he has first round talent and should be in the mix to be the first linebacker off the board come April 2023 should he declare.
Sewell is the brother of current Detroit Lion, Penei, and Saints linebacker, Nephi. Like his brother Penei, Noah was a heavily recruited player out of high school and the film shows why he had powerhouses like Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, and Utah all vying for his services. His range and physicality jump off the tape as he racked up 159 tackles over his first two years at Oregon. Armed with a quick processor, Sewell has all of the baseline traits to be a productive starter very early in his pro career.
We take a break from the on-field work of training camp to take a look at Noah Sewell and how his skill set would fit with the Cowboys.