The NFL draft is underway, and the Oregon Ducks are sending their latest stars off to the next level. On Saturday, however, the Ducks are welcoming back several familiar faces who have achieved stardom in the NFL.
Oregon will kick off its spring game on Saturday and welcome Kayvon Thibodeaux, Deommodore Lenoir and Tez Johnson back to Autzen Stadium as honorary coaches for the annual scrimmage in front of the Eugene crowd. Bo Nix, who was the first quarterback for the Ducks under Dan Lanning and became a Heisman Trophy finalist, was also expected to be in attendance on the sidelines, but that plan has fallen through.
Instead, the Ducks will bring back NFL All-Pro offensive tackle Penei Sewell in Nix's place. He will partner with Thibodeaux as a coach for the "Combat Ducks" wearing black on Saturday. No reason was provided for Nix's last-minute removal from the game.
Sewell is regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in Oregon history. In two seasons with the Ducks, Sewell helped the Ducks win the 2020 Rose Bowl while protecting Justin Herbert and established himself as the best lineman in the country. 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.
In two seasons, Sewell only allowed one sack in 1,376 snaps with the Ducks at left tackle. He opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He declared for the 2021 NFL Draft and was selected No. 7 overall by the Detroit Lions, becoming the highest-draft offensive lineman in Oregon history.
Sewell flipped over to right tackle in Detroit and didn't miss a beat. In five seasons with the Lions, Sewell has become one of the best tackles in the league, earning three first-team All-Pro nominations and being selected to four Pro Bowls.
The Lions drafted Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Miller is primarily a right tackle, meaning Sewell is preparing to switch back to left tackle for the first time since his Oregon days.
The Ducks are rolling out an offensive line featuring three new starters, including both tackles. Sewell might be able to teach the young Oregon linemen a thing or two while he's in town for the spring game.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oegon legend Penei Sewell to replace Bo Nix at Ducks spring game