There is plenty of young talent setting the tone for the next generation of the NFL. The Oregon Ducks have produced many young stars at the next level, and some people around the league believe the Ducks produced the best young star the league has to offer.
In a recent survey from The Athletic, coaches, scouts and front office members around the NFL were asked to review a list and name some of the league’s best players with at least a season of experience while being 25 years old or younger.
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At the top of the list, former Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell takes the crown. Sewell was drafted with the seventh pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and has been one of the league’s best offensive linemen ever since. After dominating at left tackle with the Ducks, Sewell has played right tackle in Detroit. On that side of the line, he’s made four consecutive Pro Bowls and earned three consecutive first-team All-Pro selections.
Now, he’s making the transition back to the left side to protect Jared Goff‘s blind side. Sewell is still only 25 years old, yet is one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL after signing a four-year, $112 million contract with the Lions in 2024. Sewell will turn 26 in October, but still qualifies as the leader of the NFL’s young stars.
Sewell ranked higher than several of the league’s biggest playmakers, including Jalen Carter (2), Brock Bowers (3), Puka Nacua (8) and Bijan Robinson (9). Former Oregon corner Christian Gonzalez, who is one of the league’s top corners with the New England Patriots, just missed the list as an honorable mention. Other former Ducks under 25, such as Kayvon Thibodeaux, Bucky Irving and Evan Williams, did not receive a mention.
Sewell remains one of the best offensive linemen to ever come through Eugene. As a sophomore in 2019, Sewell became the third player in Oregon history to become a unanimous first-team All-American, joining LaMichael James (2010) and Marcus Mariota (2014) en route to winning the Outland Trophy. He was also named the AP Pac-12 Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. He also helped lead the Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory in 2020.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Lions’ Penei Sewell tops list of NFL’s 25 and under stars
