For the reason that flip of the century, the Oregon Geese have continued to develop right into a powerhouse on the gridiron. Recruiting from coast to coast and changing into one of many winningest packages within the nation since 2000, the Geese have had a number of the greatest gamers in school soccer historical past stroll via Eugene.
Whereas the Geese are nonetheless in search of their first nationwide championship, their capability to draw elite expertise and switch them into NFL-ready stars has stored this system on the map as greater than a staff with flashy uniforms and the Nike checkmark. Oregon’s lone Heisman Trophy recipient, Marcus Mariota, continues to be revered for his play in Eugene and is extensively considered among the finest quarterbacks within the trendy period of faculty soccer.
With the 2026 season simply getting underway, USA TODAY compiled a listing of gamers to signify the All-2000s staff. Mariota did not make the reduce, however former Oregon offensive deal with Penei Sewell took his spot amongst elite firm on the second staff.
Sewell shared the second-team honors at offensive deal with with Alex Leatherwood, a former first-round decide and standout at Alabama from 2017 to 2020. First-team alternatives went to Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas (2003-2006) and Miami’s Bryant McKinnie (1999-2001).
Sewell spent two seasons because the blindside deal with for Justin Herbert. From the second he stepped on campus, Sewell was a starter for the Geese and did not disappoint. Regardless of lacking six video games with an harm as a freshman, he rapidly solidified himself as one of many nation’s elite protectors, taking part in penalty-free in his first collegiate season.
Returning as a sophomore, Sewell received the Outland Trophy, which is yearly introduced to the nation’s greatest lineman, and joined Mariota and LaMichael James as this system’s solely unanimous first-team All-People. In almost 1,400 snaps throughout his two seasons as a Duck, Sewell allowed only one sack and helped Oregon win the 2020 Rose Bowl. Sewell sat out the 2020 season as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and was later chosen seventh general within the 2021 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
Oregon has recruited properly alongside the offensive line since Sewell left, however no lineman has earned as many accolades as Sewell did. The large offensive deal with has continued his success within the NFL, shifting over to proper deal with and changing into a three-time first-team All-Professional earlier than making the transfer again to the left aspect this season.
Sewell is undoubtedly among the finest gamers to ever play for Oregon and earned his place as one of many high offensive linemen previously 25 years, exhibiting simply how far the Geese have come as a program and what it’s able to when elite expertise makes the journey out west.
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This text initially appeared on Geese Wire: Oregon OT Penei Sewell named to USA TODAY’s All-2000s staff
Reporting by Logan Brown, Geese Wire / Geese Wire
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