Noah Sewell Bio
Noah Sewell (born April 26, 2002) is an American Samoan professional football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). A native of American Samoa, Sewell played college football at the University of Oregon, where he earned the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year award in 2020 before being selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. He is the younger brother of fellow NFL players Penei Sewell and Nephi Sewell, making the Sewell family one of the more closely followed football families in the league.
Early Life and Background
Noah Sewell was born on April 26, 2002, in the village of Malaeimi in American Samoa. He grew up alongside three brothers, and the siblings first learned the game of American football under the guidance of their father, Gabriel Sewell, who became a coach in the sport. From a young age, Noah was exposed to the physical and strategic demands of football, and his early training laid the foundation for a defensive career built on tackling and field awareness.
Believing that his sons had the potential to reach the NFL, Gabriel Sewell moved the family to St. George, Utah, in 2012. The relocation placed the Sewell brothers into a stronger high school football pipeline and gave them access to broader competition. After initially attending Desert Hills High School, Noah transferred to Orem High School in Orem, Utah, where he finished his high school career.
At Orem High School, Sewell starred on both sides of the ball, recording 224 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and five interceptions as a linebacker while also producing 2,316 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns as a running back. His senior season performance earned him the Utah Valley Football Player of the Year award in 2019, and he was rated as a five-star recruit. He ultimately committed to the University of Oregon to continue his football development.
Path to American Football
Sewell’s route to professional football began in the villages of American Samoa, where his father’s coaching introduced the Sewell brothers to the sport. The family’s decision to move to Utah was a defining moment, shifting Noah from island football to one of the most competitive high school football environments in the western United States. Playing at Orem High School allowed him to test himself against top-level competition and gain national recruiting attention.
His five-star recruit status opened the door to several major college programs, but he chose the University of Oregon to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Penei, who would later be drafted seventh overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2021 NFL draft. Another brother, Nephi Sewell, has played in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints, while a third brother, Gabriel, has also played college football. This strong family football tradition helped shape Noah’s discipline and approach to the game.
Noah Sewell Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Sewell’s college career at Oregon began in 2020 under unusual circumstances, as the season was shortened and reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the limited schedule, he made an immediate impact as a true freshman linebacker, starting regularly and showing the tackling instincts that had marked his high school film. His performance against Pac-12 competition quickly established him as one of the conference’s most promising young defenders.
At the conclusion of the 2020 season, Sewell was named the Pac-12 Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year, becoming one of the youngest players to earn that recognition. The award confirmed what recruiters had projected and gave him a strong foundation heading into his sophomore year with the Ducks.
Oregon Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Following his freshman award, Sewell continued to develop as a central piece of the Oregon defense. In 2021, he earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors, reinforcing his reputation as a complete linebacker capable of playing the run, rushing the passer, and contributing in coverage. His combination of size, speed, and football intelligence made him a key leader for the Ducks during that season.
As a junior in 2022, Sewell was recognized with Second-team All-Pac-12 honors, continuing to produce at a high level despite increased attention from opposing offenses. Across his three seasons at Oregon, he built a reputation as a physical, downhill linebacker with the versatility to line up in multiple defensive roles. His college resume positioned him as a Day 3 prospect with starting-caliber traits when he declared for the 2023 NFL draft.
Chicago Bears Era (2023–Present)
Sewell was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round, 148th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. Joining a defense in the midst of a rebuild, he entered his rookie season with an opportunity to carve out a role on special teams and as a rotational linebacker. He appeared in 13 games during his first year, recording nine total tackles and one forced fumble while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
In the 2024 season, Sewell appeared in nine games and primarily contributed on special teams, refining his tackling technique and learning the Bears’ defensive schemes. His role within the linebacker group continued to grow as he gained experience in Chicago’s defensive system. Heading into 2025, he remains a developmental piece for the Bears with the physical tools to compete for a larger defensive role.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a linebacker, Sewell brings a physical, downhill playing style built on strength at the point of attack and the ability to deliver decisive tackles in the run game. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 112 kilograms, he has the frame to take on blockers and the range to pursue plays sideline to sideline. His background as a two-way high school player also gives him comfort in space, which has translated into value on special teams coverage units in the NFL.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Sewell’s career came in 2020 when he became the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, signaling his arrival as a top college linebacker. His selection in the 2023 NFL draft marked the continuation of a notable Sewell family tradition in professional football, with brothers Penei and Nephi also playing in the league. His first NFL forced fumble during his rookie season with the Bears provided an early highlight of his professional trajectory.
Noah Sewell Career Wins
As a linebacker, Sewell’s statistical milestones are measured in tackles, sacks, interceptions, and individual awards rather than wins in the traditional sense. Across his high school, college, and early NFL career, he has accumulated consistent production and conference recognition, highlighted by Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2020 and All-Pac-12 selections in 2021 and 2022. His transition to the NFL has emphasized development and special teams contributions as he works toward a larger defensive role.
Oregon Highlights
During his three seasons at the University of Oregon, Sewell earned Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2020, First-team All-Pac-12 in 2021, and Second-team All-Pac-12 in 2022. These honors reflect steady year-over-year growth and established him as one of the most productive linebackers in the conference during his college career.
Other Wins and Performances
At Orem High School, Sewell was named the Utah Valley Football Player of the Year in 2019 after a dominant two-way senior season. He was also rated as a five-star recruit, a rare distinction that reflected his national profile coming out of Utah. These prep accolades set the stage for his move to Oregon and his eventual selection in the 2023 NFL draft.
Noah Sewell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
The Sewell family is rooted in Malaeimi, American Samoa, where Noah’s father, Gabriel Sewell, coached football and introduced his sons to the sport. Gabriel’s decision to relocate the family to St. George, Utah, in 2012 was driven by a belief that his children had the potential to play in the NFL. That decision has produced a remarkable football lineage, with multiple Sewell brothers now playing at the college and professional levels.
Personal Life
Noah Sewell resides in the St. George, Utah, area, where his family settled after moving from American Samoa. He is the brother of Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions, Nephi Sewell of the New Orleans Saints, and Gabriel Sewell, who has played college football. His personal life beyond football and family has remained largely outside the public spotlight.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Noah Sewell is positioned to compete for an expanded role within the Chicago Bears linebacker rotation. After appearing in 13 games as a rookie and nine games in 2024, he has continued to develop his understanding of the Bears’ defensive scheme while contributing on special teams. His physical tools and Pac-12 pedigree give him a clear pathway to a larger defensive workload if he can stay consistent in training camp and the preseason.
The Bears’ 2025 outlook places an emphasis on youth and development across the defense, which works in Sewell’s favor as a former five-star recruit with three years of starting experience at Oregon. Key storylines to watch include his snap count growth on defense, his role on special teams units, and how the coaching staff utilizes his run-stopping strength in sub-packages.
While the Bears’ broader goals for 2025 center on team success rather than individual milestones, Sewell’s individual progress will be measured by increased defensive reps, more consistent playing time, and a chance to show that his All-Pac-12 college form can translate to a steady NFL role. A strong 2025 campaign could mark his transition from rotational contributor to full-time starting linebacker for Chicago.