Noah Sewell had two desires in soccer: to play with older brother, Penei, in school and to play within the NFL.
The former Oregon Ducks center linebacker was robbed of the previous in 2020 as a result of pandemic and is within the course of of constructing the latter come to fruition, which might include a chance to reunite together with his brother too.
It’s that finish aim to led Sewell to forego his fourth season at UO and declare for the NFL draft.
“I’m one step closer to my dream,” Sewell mentioned on the NFL mix. “I thought it was my time. Talking to my brothers, I talked to Penei, Nephi, they’re in the league right now and they helped me reassure my decision.”
Sewell enters the draft course of coming off an unlimited drop in manufacturing from his second to 3rd seasons.
His 56 tackles with 5.5 for loss, together with 1.5 sacks, an interception, fumble restoration and 4 go breakups final season have been practically all half of what Sewell had in 2021, when he led the Ducks with 114 tackles, with 8.5 for loss and 4 sacks.
“I was trying to do too much,” Sewell mentioned. “I felt like I was the only one out there, but in reality I had teammates with me and I was putting too much on my shoulders.”
Sewell by no means missed a sport, however was restricted to non-contact in follow all through the season. He mentioned it was primarily to make sure he might play on Saturdays, however didn’t deny dealing with some accidents alongside the way in which.
Having met with the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City and a number of other different groups whereas on the mix, Sewell believes his work ethic and sport IQ are his prime promoting factors to professional groups.
“I’m able to pick up a scheme real quick and go out there and perform,” he mentioned. “I think I can always work on my hands and my feet. You can always get better at that and you can always improve on that.”
At 6-foot-2 and 250 kilos, Sewell is a throwback by way of his dimension at inside linebacker, the place the pattern has been towards leaner, quicker gamers.
“I am on the heavier side of the scale, but I like to steer away from those typical linebackers,” he mentioned. “I like to be unique with my weight. I can move around, I’m dynamic, I’m athletic and I think I bring a lot to the table with my weight.”
Noah got here to Oregon to play together with his brother, a situation that didn’t get to play out after the Pac-12 initially canceled the 2020 season and Penei opted out and declared for the draft. Now it’s doable they might reunite with the Detroit Lions, who drafted Penei No. 7 total within the 2021 NFL draft. The Lions have the Nos. 48, 55 and 81 picks amongst their picks on this yr’s draft.
“If I get to play with my brother,” Noah mentioned, “it would be truly a blessing.”
— James Crepea reported from Indianapolis.
