Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell announced that he has opted out of the 2020 season. Citing health concerns, Sewell will now turn his attention to the 2021 NFL Draft.
[RELATED: LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase Opts Out Of 2020 Season]
Sewell has long been regarded as one of the top prospects in the ’21 draft. Most boards have Sewell as a Top 5 prospect and some even him positioned as a Top 3 choice. The 6’6″, 330-pound prospect did not allow a single sack last year and allowed just seven quarterback pressures in 2019. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus were fond of him, too — Sewell finished first with a run-blocking grade of 95.3 and while placing third in pass-blocking (91.1).
“There are no words to adequately express how blessed I feel for having played football for the past two seasons at the best school in the country, the University of Oregon,” Sewell wrote (Twitter link). “The love and support I received has been overwhelming, and I could not be more grateful. But ever since I was little, I have dreamt of playing professional football. Accordingly, after long thought, prayer and many conversations with my family, I have decided to opt out of the 2020-21 college football season and prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.”
The Outland Trophy winner is just the latest top prospect to skip out on the upcoming NCAA season. Late last month, LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase – the draft’s consensus top wide receiver – made the same call.
Pretty easy decision to opt out when there is no football season for the conference you play in.
Lol yep. Opting out of no season. Big deal.
As a huge Oregon Ducks fan, this one hurts. If they throw a season together, it’ll be with an entirely brand new OL as he was the only returning player. Not to mention a brand new QB as well. Penei is awesome and glad he’s taking care of his future. Kid is smart!
I have not heard that the PAC 12 has been, recently, trying to piece together a season this year? Did I miss something?
Intra squad flag football
I think that linemen opting out makes the most sense being overweight. Plus some of the older ones have developed diabetes or are more at risk of it in general. Also obesity leads to breathing problems, like asthma sleep apnea etc. Not saying he or any others have it but the risk is higher for those players in general…
With the amount of prospects that have opted out of this years season, if this draft class excels in 2-3 years….. We might be seeing a shift in the strategy for legit players with NFL potential.
Think about if Maurice Clarett and Mike Williams had chosen this path to the NFL…..
Considering how many raw players come in to the NFL without enough technique to succeed in the fundamentals, I think that strategy would help veterans keep their jobs rather than encourage rookies to take them.
George Allen would always take the proven veteran over the untested rookie and I think more coaches would be inclined to do so if opting out gained momentum in the college game.
George Allen also had a 2-7 playoff record
Not
Penei’s
Boat