OREM — The state of Utah has produced some prime football talent through the years, but perhaps none as promising or as decorated as Noah Sewell. Evaluated as the first consensus 5-star in-state prospect since future NFL pro-bowler Haloti Ngata back in 2002, the 6-foot-2, 270-pound prospect is basically in a position to play for whatever football program he wants.
He’s arrived at his current status through developing his natural talent after a lot of hard work and focus, aided by a total and complete football family that currently rosters three athletes on collegiate rosters.
“I’ve been around football since I can remember. I was always around my dad coaching and my brothers, so yeah, it’s always been a big part of my life.” — Noah Sewell
“Football is what we do,” Noah Sewell said. “It’s what we’re good at, and it’s what my father started coaching all of us to do starting at a young age, and we all just love it.”
Turns out everyone involved is very good at it, too.
Noah’s oldest brother, Gabriel Jr. Sewell, plays for Nevada, where he’s one of the team leaders in tackles this season. The second-oldest, Nephi, transferred from Nevada to Utah and is sitting out this season due to transfer rules with the third brother, Penei, starring for Oregon where he’s a standout sophomore playing along the Ducks’ defensive front.
“I’ve been blessed to have great role models,” Noah said. “Just watching all my brothers go through the process has really helped and obviously my dad has helped a ton. I wouldn’t be the player I am today without all of them.”
From Samoa to St. George
Noah’s life started under humble circumstances growing up in American Samoa, where his father, Gabriel Sr., coached football and involved Noah in that endeavor from a young age as a sort of team manager for the team.
“I’ve been around football since I can remember,” Noah said. “I was always around my dad coaching and my brothers, so yeah, it’s always been a big part of my life.”
Football’s influence on Noah and his brothers bloomed when they moved to St. George in 2012, where all of them played for Desert Hills High School. As could well be imagined, Noah’s upbringing was challenged by his three older brothers, although ultimately he reaped big dividends from being the youngest.
“I’d imagine in every family there’s a pecking order, so Noah caught his share of lickings and just had to take them,” Gabriel Sr. said. “So he was everyone’s gopher growing up, but I think that’s obviously helped him.”
For Noah, the help he was receiving wasn’t always apparent, and perhaps never so much so as when Gabriel Sr. had him go up against Penei when he was just a seventh-grader. Penei was a freshman playing for Desert Hills at the time, and clearly bigger and more skilled at the time.
“It was very terrible for me, at first, because I really had no idea what I was doing,” Noah said. “But through it all, it really helped me learn and develop into the player I am today. All my brothers played a big part in my development.”
Early offers
Noah was presented with his first college football scholarship when he was in seventh grade, with Southern Utah being the first program to extend an offer. An offer from Hawaii came his way the year after, before just about every program in the nation came calling.
Wading through so many options can be a tough thing for a young teenager, although Noah had a lot of help through all of it.
“I had a front-row seat with all my brothers and was close to each of them as they went through the recruiting process, so that helped me know what to expect,” Noah said.
Even so, the attention on Noah eventually became more immense than any of his brothers experienced, even more so than that of Penei Jr., who rose to be regarded as a 4-star prospect with multiple offers.
“I don’t know if I ever realized how much attention he’d be getting until Penei (Jr.) was a senior in high school,” Gabriel Sr. said. “That’s when the focus turned to him by everyone, it seemed, but he’s done well with all of it.”
On to Orem
Noah played as a sophomore for Desert Hills before transferring to Orem after his mother, Arlene Sewell, took a job to work at Brigham Young University, necessitating a move to Utah County. The addition of Noah to the Tiger program was obviously a welcome one for Orem coach Jeremy Hill.
“We played Desert Hills in the playoffs the year before Noah got here and I remember watching film and knowing he was going to be a problem to go against,” Hill said. “Then we went against him and he was even better than we thought, and we thought a lot of him going in. So yeah, we were obviously thrilled to have him here.”
Noah made an impact immediately, playing at both running back and linebacker for the eventual 4A state champions, although Hill believes the 5-star prospect could play anywhere.
“I really do believe he could play all 11 positions on both sides of the football. He’s that athletic,” Hill said.
Most project Noah as a linebacker prospect, although his increasing size could make him a prime candidate to play along the defensive front. Regardless of which position he ends up playing, Hill believes his impact will be similar to the one he’s brought to Orem football.
“You really notice his impact when he’s not out there, and we unfortunately had him out due to injury during the early part of this season,” Hill said. “But when he’s out there you can just see him raising the level of play of all those around him. He’s a great leader and a fantastic kid off the field. I can’t say enough about him and what he’s meant to this program.”
Making his final decision
Wading through the options of playing basically wherever he wants could be viewed as an arduous process, although those involved believe Noah has played the recruiting process about as well as could be expected.
“Every time I see him it seems as if he’s FaceTiming with a college coach from somewhere,” Hill observed. “But he knows how to shut all of it off, too. He’s focused on playing his best football and he has a lot of help.”
“I don’t feel all of the recruiting has been overwhelming and I just hope to make a good decision and finish out my career here at Orem strong with hopefully another state championship.” — Noah Sewell
A big help has been to stay away from unnecessary endeavors, such as social media and other distractions.
“Yeah, my father has worked with me and stay away from that stuff. I don’t need it,” Noah said. “I have enough to focus on and don’t need that in my life.”
Noah has narrowed his final decision to eight programs, and plans to make his commitment decision by the end of November. His final eight consists of Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
He’s not tipping his hand with regards to where he’ll ultimately play, but is mindful for the process and thankful for all the attention.
“It’s a blessing and I couldn’t be more thankful to my brothers for showing me the way, and obviously my parents, coaches — everyone. I’ve been blessed,” Noah said. “I don’t feel all of the recruiting has been overwhelming and I just hope to make a good decision and finish out my career here at Orem strong with hopefully another state championship.”