Oregon football star, top NFL Draft prospect Penei Sewell planning to play in 2020

The top offensive tackle prospect has no plans of sitting out 2020 season

There’s so much uncertainty surrounding the 2020 NCAA Football season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Considering the sport is close-contact and physical, there does lay the risk of players potentially contracting COVID-19, which isn’t ideal for them or their families. Some of these athletes are destined to make it into the NFL and wouldn’t want to take that risk. Players that have opted out of the 2020 season include Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau, Minnesota wideout Rashod Bateman and Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley. Interestingly enough, all three are projected to be selected in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Perhaps the best all-around athlete in the class is Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell. Amidst all the opt-outs, Sewell’s father told 247Sports the offensive lineman is preparing to play for the Ducks this season. For now, at least.

“We’re going to sit back as we’re doing now and continue training as if the season is going on and wait until a decision is made,” said Gabriel Sewell, via247Sports. “It’s business as usual until something definite comes out. Then you actually have a decision to make.”

Sewell playing in 2020…for now

It’s important to note that Sewell said that his son will train normally “until something definite comes out.” That could mean the season being canceled altogether or if there’s a COVID-19 outbreak among Oregon’s football team. Those are all hypotheticals. Additionally, Sewell showed his support for Pac-12 football players who are threatening to boycott the 2020 season if their demands aren’t met by the NCAA.

Even though Sewell is essentially locked in to be one of the first two players drafted in the 2021 class, he doesn’t appear to have a desire to opt out whatsoever. Oregon was ranked ninth in the NCAA coaches preseason poll on Thursday and stand a great chance to potentially play in the CFP National Championship Game. Granted, that’s if the season can go off without a hitch.

Standing at 6-6 and weighing in at 330-pounds, Sewell was an absolute mauler at the line of scrimmage, where he’s never allowed more than two pressures in a game throughout his college career, per Pro Football Focus. If an NFL team is in need for a stud offensive tackle (i.e. Washington Football Team), Sewell’s your guy.

Plans could obviously change, but Penei Sewell appears to be all-in for Oregon’s 2020 season.