Penei Sewell to sign with Oregon over USC on Signing Day 2018

Four-star offensive guard Penei Sewell announced his decision to sign with Oregon over USC on Signing Day 2018, giving the Ducks a much needed recruiting victory.

It was decision day for Penei Sewell on Wednesday, but the big man’s choice wasn’t exactly what USC was hoping for.

Sewell’s Signing Day pick came down to Oregon, Alabama, Utah and USC, with the Ducks coming out on top.

USC got Sewell on an official visit back in November but the battle for his signature seemed to have narrowed to Oregon and Alabama down the stretch. Though the Trojans tried to push to steal the commitment out from under their Pac-12 rival and the SEC power, the effort was for naught.

At 6-foot-5, 349 pounds, recruits don’t come much bigger than Sewell, who ranks as the 57th best prospect in the class of 2018. He is the No. 2 guard and top player out of the state of Utah.

USC has thrived recruiting Utah in recent years and already have the signature of the nation’s No. 2 center in Justin Dedich. However, Sewell would have further strengthened the interior of the Trojan offensive line.

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At the very least, failing to sign Sewell shouldn’t sink the Trojans, who stocked up on offensive linemen in 2017.

MORE SIGNING DAY: Tracking All of USC’s Class of 2018 Signings

Moreover, USC has had an largely successful Signing Day for 2018, even without the lineman from Utah. The Trojans started the day by picking up consecutive commitments from four-star linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu, five-star cornerback Olaijah Griffin and four-star wide receiver Devon Williams.

The final recruit on the board for USC, four-star cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart, could be the cherry on top when he makes his college decision as well.