Oregon Sophomore OL Penei Sewell Named A Finalist For Outland Trophy
OMAHA, Neb. – The top-graded offensive lineman in the nation by Pro Football Focus through the first 12 weeks of the season, Oregon sophomore offensive lineman Penei Sewell has been named one of six finalists for the Outland Trophy, announced on Wednesday by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee.
The 2019 Outland Trophy, presented by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), is awarded annually to the nation’s best college interior lineman on offense or defense. The only semifinalist who is an underclassman, Sewell is just the third player in program history to be named a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy, joining Jake Fisher (2014) and Haloti Ngata (2005). Ngata went on to be a finalist in 2005.
Sewell’s dominance at left tackle protecting Heisman hopeful quarterback Justin Herbert has been on full display this season. He leads all offensive linemen nationally with an overall grade of 96.5, according to PFF, while also leading the way with a 95.8 run-blocking grade while his 90.6 pass-blocking mark ranks second. In 364 pass-blocking snaps this season, Sewell has allowed just six pressures and no sacks. He has put together six games without allowing a pressure, hurry or hit on the quarterback.
Named the Outland Trophy Offensive Player of the Month for September, Sewell leads Oregon with 45 knockdowns, including a staggering 11 against Montana. A native of Malaeimi, American Samoa, Sewell has been the top-ranked offensive lineman in the Pac-12 by PFF five times this year and taken home the Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week award three times.
Oregon ranks 14th nationally in scoring offense (37.8) and 22nd in total offense (460.4). The Ducks lead the Pac-12 in total rush yards (1,034) in the second half of games and rank 19th nationally in yards per carry in the second half (5.30).
The six semifinalists will be cut to three finalists on Monday, Nov. 25. The recipient of the 74th Outland Trophy will be announced during ESPN’s The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12, live from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
OUTLAND TROPHY SEMIFINALISTS
Penei Sewell, Oregon, OT
Tyler Biadascz, Wisconsin, C
Derrick Brown, Auburn, DT
John Simpson, Clemson, G
Andrew Thomas, Georgia OT
Tristan Wirfs, Iowa, OT
HONORS & AWARDS
Regular Season
» Outland Trophy Semifinalist
» Outland Trophy Offensive Player of the Month (September)
» Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week (Week 7)
» Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week (Week 4)
» Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week (Week 3)
» PFF National Team of the Week (Week 12)
» PFF National Team of the Week (Week 9)
» PFF National Team of the Week (Week 8)
» PFF National Team of the Week (Week 7)
» PFF National Team of the Week (Week 4)
» PFF National Team of the Week (Week 3)
» PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week (Week 12)
» PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week (Week 9)
» PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week (Week 7)
» PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week (Week 6)
» PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week (Week 4)
» PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week (Week 3)
» PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week (Week 1)
Midseason
» AP All-America first team
» Athlon All-America first team
» CBS Sports All-America first team
» ESPN All-America team
» PFF All-America first team
» The Athletic All-America first team