EUGENE, Ore. — On the one hand, Penei Sewell starting Oregon’s opener at left tackle was a surprise. With his start Saturday, the 6-foot-6, 360-pounder became the first true freshman to start the opener at Oregon since 1997.



On the other, it really wasn’t a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention since February. That’s when head coach Mario Cristobal introduced Oregon’s signing class and smiled especially wide when he began to talk about Sewell, a Utah native. Sewell is a big-bodied, strong and mobile four-star recruit. He arrived on campus over the summer but still was able to fill a Tyrell Crosby-sized hole on the line.



It didn’t take long to see Sewell’s potential in camp, as he routinely worked with Oregon’s starters. Still, Oregon entrusted the protection of Justin Herbert to a true freshman in Week 1, and it’s not like there weren’t other options at a deep position group.



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