Interview: Utah Class of 2018 OT Penei Sewell Already Pulling in Big Offers from Power Five Teams

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A dominating presence on the Utah high school football fields is picking up massive momentum on a national scale. The word is starting to get out about Class of 2018 offensive lineman Penei Sewell, and all for good reason.

Sewell spent his sophomore season at right tackle showing signs of a potential 5-star recruit if all the fine tuning and hard work is continued to be logged off the field. Lining up at right tackle, the 6’4”, 319 pound, bulldozer of a run blocker paved open holes for Desert Hills High School. When the ball was snapped, there really was very little the opposition could do to limit Sewell from locking onto a defender and finishing the play notching another pancake block in the books.

College coaches are not in a wait-and-see mode with Sewell. No. 58 in the program already has offers from Tennessee, Oklahoma, UCLA, BYU, Nevada, Southern Utah, Utah State, and Utah with more sure to come the longer Sewell stays on the open recruiting market.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Sewell going over his 2015 season, his offseason workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Penei, your reel suggests that you are an advanced lineman at this point in your high school career. What are some of the things you think you do really well at the tackle spot?

“My footwork, I move quickly, and my mental aspect of the game – knowing where everyone is on every play.”

Which do you do better right now, run or pass block?

“Right now, I’d say my run blocking is better than my pass blocking.”

Are you staying at right tackle for the 2016 season?

“As of right now I’m thinking I’ll play right tackle but I don’t know. It all depends on the coaches really.”

Any chance of you playing nose guard or a three-technique next season?

“Yes, you will see me on defense at defense tackle next season.”

Are you excited to play defense some next year?

“I played both ways last year. I am excited to continue playing on defense next year.”

Which side of the ball are you better at in your opinion?

“On the offensive line for sure. Playing on the offensive line is what I love to do and what I am great at doing.”

What honors did you earn at the end of your sophomore season?

“I was first team All-Region and second team All-State.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for your junior year?

“Right now I am working on my strength, my knowledge of the game, footwork, and my explosion.”

Have you maxed out on bench, squat, or power clean lately?

“Not yet. We are maxing out in two weeks.”

Are you going to any camps coming up?

“I’m going to a Rivals camp in Kansas City and the All-Poly camp in Utah.

Are you going to any college camps?

“As of right now, I don’t think so.”

You already have a lot of colleges dropping offers for you. Are any of the schools that have extended offers pushing a little bit harder than the others?

“They are all recruiting me equally. They are all the same on that.”

Are there any schools that have not offered you yet showing any interest?

“I know there are but my dad (Gabriel) would know more about that.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I have taken one to UCLA and one to Utah.”

How did the UCLA visit go?

“I loved it. UCLA was a really-really nice place. The same with Utah. Both schools had a nice environment to be around. Both campuses were really nice. The weight room was eye opening at both.”

Are you playing any spring sports for Desert Hills?

“I used to play basketball but right now I’m just throwing the shotput in track.”

What is your personal record in the shotput?

“The furthest I have thrown it is 47-feet. I just started to throw not too long ago. I’m trying to pick it up.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Growing up as a little kid, I liked hitting my brothers. I like the physical aspect of the game. As I have gotten older, I like the life lessons football teaches.”

Your dad is a coach for Desert Hills right?

“Yes. He is an assistant offensive coordinator and the running backs coach.”

What is it like essentially playing for your father?

“I love it. He is my third eye. He tells me what I am doing wrong and what the defense is running to help me.”

Penei, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; Penei Sewell at UCLA.

Photo credit: stgeorgeutah.com; No. 58 Penei Sewell vs. Jordan HS (2015).

Photo credit: thunderfamily.com; No. 58 Penei Sewell looks for a defender.