Report: Former Desert Hills Star Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions Agree On Rookie Deal
May 19, 2021, 9:42 AM | Updated: 9:49 am
A Detroit Lions fan holds a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Lions selected Penei Sewell with the seventh pick during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Desert Hills Thunder standout Penei Sewell and the Detroit Lions agreed to terms on a rookie contract, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
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Yates reported the agreement on Wednesday, May 19.
Sewell was selected by the Lions with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on April 29. He was the first offensive lineman taken in the draft.
The former Desert Hills High star will reportedly earn over $24 million on a four-year, fully guaranteed rookie deal.
The Lions have agreed to terms with OT Penei Sewell on his four-year, $24,099,068 fully guaranteed rookie deal.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 19, 2021
Sewell was unable to join the Lions at the start of their rookie mini camp in mid-May after announcing that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
“Found out this past weekend I tested positive for COVID. Really wish I was heading to my new home today and able to be at mini-camp with my new teammates and coaches. Look forward to getting out to the D as soon as I’m cleared!” Sewell tweeted on May 12.
Found out this past weekend I tested positive for COVID. Really wish I was heading to my new home today and able to be at mini-camp with my new teammates and coaches. Look forward to getting out to the D as soon as I’m cleared!
— Penei Sewell (@peneisewell58) May 12, 2021
Penei Sewell at Desert Hills
Before his time in college and the NFL, Sewell was a star player for the Desert Hills Thunder in St. George, Utah.
As a senior in high school, Sewell participated in the All-American Bowl and Polynesian Bowl.
247Sports rated Sewell as the No. 1 prospect in the state of Utah for the 2018 class.
Former Desert Hills football star and Oregon OT Penei Sewell is the winner of the 2019 Outland Trophy. Penei is one of the greatest high school football players in Utah history. @kslsports @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/DBRXX20GLZ
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) December 13, 2019
Following his high school days, Sewell chose to play football for the Oregon Ducks.
Penei Sewell at Oregon
As a freshman in 2018, Sewell was an immediate starter for the Ducks. He played in seven contests during his first season in Eugene, Oregon.
In 2019, Sewell played in 14 games and helped Oregon win the Pac-12 Championship. He also helped the Ducks win the Rose Bowl Game against Wisconsin.
🏆 2019 Outland Trophy Winner – 1st in @oregonfootball History
🦆 3rd Duck to be Unanimous 1st Team All-American
😤 Allowed Only 1 Sack in 21 Career GamesPenei Sewell is 1 of the 🔝 prospects in the #NFLDraft and a generational talent. #BackThePac | @NFL | @PacPremierBank pic.twitter.com/HwrggmEuR5
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 27, 2021
Sewell was honored with the Outland Trophy for his outstanding play as a sophomore. The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the best interior lineman in college football.
Rather than play in 2020, Sewell opted out of playing as a junior because of the coronavirus pandemic. During the year off, Sewell prepared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
He isn’t just the @Lions' new blindside blocker.
Or a first-round pick out of @oregonfootball.
@peneisewell58 is an inspiration to everyone back in American Samoa. 🇦🇸💙 (via @PolynesianFBHOF) #APAHM pic.twitter.com/79fRWywONj— NFL (@NFL) May 10, 2021
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
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