A year ago, the national media looked at the Oregon Ducks and couldn’t see very far past the bright lights of Kayvon Thibodeaux. It was understandable, of course — a 6-foot-4 edge rusher who is projected to be among the first picks in the NFL Draft is certainly worthy of national coverage.
While much of the focus was on Thibodeaux, though, an elite defensive player was flying under the national radar. Duck fans were well aware of his presence, but it isn’t until now that this Oregon legacy piece is truly getting his shine.
Noah Sewell, it’s your time on the podium.
Picked as one of the favorites to be named the best linebacker in the country this season, the hype train is off and running for the Ducks’ stellar junior LB. As the leader of the defense who is coming off of a year with 114 tackles and 4 sacks — which followed up a season where he was named the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year — there are high expectations for Sewell to lead this new scheme drawn up by Dan Lanning.
Despite the already stellar career at Oregon, there are still things for Sewell to get better at, he admitted on Wednesday at the Ducks’ annual media day. When talking with him, Sewell discussed what he has learned from the new coaching staff, and specifically Lanning and DC Tosh Lupoi. Sewell also talked a lot about his relationship with fellow LB Justin Flowe, and how it’s been watching him work back to full health and get back onto the field.
Here are some of the best quotes from Sewell’s press conference: