Locals in the NFL: Noah Sewell adds family name to Chicago as rookie minicamps open

AROUND THE SHIELD — Former four-star recruit Noah Sewell was a highly touted football recruit coming out of Orem High, and after a career at Oregon made his way to the NFL.

But if the younger Sewell brother needs an introduction to the league, he doesn't have to look far — brother Penei is a starter on the Detroit Lions' offensive line, Nephi spent time last year with the New Orleans Saints, and another brother, Gabe Jr., recently signed with the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL.

So what was big brother's advice to the newest Sewell in the NFL?

"He said, this time of year, put your head down and grind," Sewell said of eldest brother Penei as he opened rookie minicamp in Chicago. "Put in the work. That was pretty much it."

The 6-foot-1, 246-pound fifth-round pick who was born in American Samoa before growing up in St. George and Orem opened minicamp with a tipped pass for an interception on Saturday that drew eyeballs from Bears fans. But it's his pass-rush ability that has Chicago's front office personnel dropping jaws after the former Associated Press All-Pac-12 second-team honoree and Butkus award semifinalist who totaled 215 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and two interceptions with three forced fumbles in three years at Oregon.

Don't expect Noah Sewell to play too much like his brothers; each son of Arlene and Gabe Sewell Sr. has their own game. And besides, Sewell is anything like his 6-foot-5, 335-pound eldest brother who lives on NFC North rival Detroit's starting offensive line.

That was by design growing up, Noah Sewell jokes.

"I'll leave that to the big nasties," he said on Saturday from Chicago with a laugh. "They can handle that."

Sewell was projected to be a higher-round selection after the 2021 season, when he broke out for 114 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, six passes defended and two forced fumbles a year after earning Pac-12 defensive freshman of the year honors by league coaches. Instead, the Bears signed Sewell to a four-year rookie deal worth $4.16 million with the Bears, according to Over The Cap.

Now the journey can begin.

"I don't really look back on it," he said. "Everything happens for a reason, and I'm here because everything happens for a reason. Just grow from last year, and keep moving forward."

Sewell is one of two Orem High graduates selected during the 2023 NFL draft, a list of 243 high schools led by three from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. The Tigers, who also saw BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round, are one of 15 high schools nationally with multiple draft selections.

The list also includes former Utah offensive lineman Braeden Daniels, who went in the fourth round to Washington, while Hebron High teammate Clayton Tune went to Arizona in the fifth round.

In all, more than two dozen rookie minicamp invitations (including draft picks) went to players who played football in the state of Utah, including six from Utah high schools.

Here's a look at each situation, team-by-team.

Arizona Cardinals

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: None

Atlanta Falcons

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: Clark Phillips, CB, Utah

Baltimore Ravens

• Rookie minicamp: May 5-7
• Locals in minicamp: None

Buffalo Bills

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-13
• Locals in minicamp: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah; Logan Bonner, QB, Utah State

Carolina Panthers

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: None

Chicago Bears

• Rookie minicamp: May 5-6
• Locals in minicamp: Noah Sewell, LB, Orem High (Oregon); Alfred Edwards III, OT, Utah State; Logan Kendall, TE, Utah

Cincinnati Bengals

• Rookie minicamp: May 12
• Locals in minicamp: Calvin Tyler Jr., RB, Utah State

Cleveland Browns

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: Siaki "Apu" Ika, DT, East High (Baylor); Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah

Dallas Cowboys

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: D'Angelo Mandell, CB, BYU

Denver Broncos

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: Alfred Edwards III, OT, Utah State

Detroit Lions

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: None

Green Bay Packers

• Rookie minicamp: May 5-6
• Locals in minicamp: None

Indianapolis Colts

• Rookie minicamp: May 5-7
• Locals in minicamp: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU (Herriman High); Harris LaChance, OT, BYU (Herriman High); Logan Bonner, QB, Utah State

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-13
• Locals in minicamp: Kaleb Hayes, CB, BYU

Kansas City Chiefs

• Rookie minicamp: May 6-8
• Locals in minicamp: Payton Wilgar, LB, BYU (Dixie High); Jake Gerardi, P, Southern Utah

Las Vegas Raiders

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-13
• Locals in minicamp: George Tarlas, DE, Weber State (via Boise State)

Los Angeles Rams

• Rookie minicamp: None*
• Local rookie on roster: Puka Nacua, WR, BYU (Orem High via Washington)
• *The Rams are the only NFL team that does not hold a rookie minicamp, instead beginning 10 days of organized team activities on May 22, and a mandatory minicamp for all players June 13-15.

Miami Dolphins

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: Chris Brooks, RB, BYU (via Cal); Henry Colombi, QB, Utah State (before Texas Tech, Marshall)

Minnesota Vikings

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: Jaren Hall, QB, BYU (Maple Mountain High)

New England Patriots

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: None

New Orleans Saints

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: Darrius Nash, S, Utah Tech

New York Giants

• Rookie minicamp: May 5-7
• Locals in minicamp: None

Philadelphia Eagles

• Rookie minicamp: May 5-6
• Locals in minicamp: None

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-15
• Locals in minicamp: None

San Francisco 49ers

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-13
• Locals in minicamp: Cameron Latu, TE, Olympus High (Alabama)

Seattle Seahawks

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: None

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: Hunter Reynolds, S, Utah State

Tennessee Titans

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-14
• Locals in minicamp: None

Washington Commanders

• Rookie minicamp: May 12-13
• Locals in minicamp: Braeden Daniels, OL, Utah; Brian Cobbs, WR, Utah State; Jason Shelley, QB, Utah/Utah State

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