Penei (pronounced peh-NAY) Sewell grew up in American Samoa, but his family moved to Utah when he was in middle school. His play at Desert Hills High School gained him four-star recruit rankings. Sewell became the first Oregon true freshman to start a season opener in 20 years; he started seven games that year at left tackle but missed six games due to an ankle injury. His talent truly shined in 2019, as the 13-game starter at left tackle won the Outland Trophy (first sophomore offensive lineman and first Polynesian player to receive the award). He was also a unanimous All-American and the Polynesian College Football Co-Player of the Year. Sewell opted out of the 2020 season. His brother Gabriel played college football at Nevada and his brother Nephi plays for Utah. Penei's younger brother Noah plays for Oregon. Two uncles, Isaac Sopoaga and Richard Brown, played in the NFL. -- by Chad Reuter

Onwuzurike (pronounced own-zur-EE-kay) opted out of the 2020 season and accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He came on strong in 2019, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors after recording 45 tackles, six for loss, with two sacks and a blocked kick in 13 games (12 starts). He had started four games the previous year (34 tackles, 6.5 for loss with three sacks) after contributing in 12 contests as a redshirt freshman (16 tackles, 3.5 for loss with two sacks). Onwuzurike was named the Dallas Morning News’ All-Area Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Allen High School in 2015. -- by Chad Reuter

Alim (pronounced ah-LEEM) McNeill was a top 250 overall prospect nationally and decided to stay in Raleigh after starring at Sanderson High School, where he played inside linebacker and running back (at 250-plus pounds). He was also a three-time all-conference pick in baseball. McNeill made an impact as a true freshman in 2018 (24 tackles, 5.5 for loss, with 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups in 13 games, one start). He came on strong as a sophomore for the Wolfpack, starting the final eight games of the year (28 tackles, 7.5 for loss, with 5.5 sacks in 12 total appearances). His progress continued in 2020, when he became a second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-ACC selection (26 tackles, 4.5 for loss, one sack, one interception) while starting in 10 of 11 appearances. He did not play in his team's bowl game. -- by Chad Reuter

Ifeatu Charles-David Melifonwu (pronounced eh-FAH-too mel-eh-FON-woo) came to Syracuse following a strong high school career (All-Massachusetts running back). After a redshirt season, he showed real promise despite missing four games due to injury (15 tackles, six pass breakups in nine games as a reserve). Melifonwu missed two games with a lower-body injury in 2019, as well, but led the Orange with eight pass breakups in nine games (eight starts) while also recording 18 tackles and intercepting two passes. He started all 11 games his squad played in a shortened 2020 season, garnering third-team All-ACC honors (55 tackles, three for loss, one interception, nine pass breakups). He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. His brother, Obi, was selected by the Raiders in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of UConn. -- by Chad Reuter

Amon-Ra Julian Heru J. St. Brown was named first-team USA Today All-American, first-team all-state and Los Angeles Times All-Area as a senior (1,320 receiving yards, 20 touchdowns; two punt return scores) at powerhouse Mater Dei High School, which was named national champions after that season. He was also a Junior All-American and first-team all-state pick in 2016. St. Brown produced in his first year with the Trojans (60 receptions, 750 yards, 12.5 average, three TDs receiving; 2-9-4.5 rushing; 1-9-9.0 punt returns), starting five of 12 appearances. He was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection the following year, covering 1,042 yards and scoring six times on 77 receptions (13.5) while also contributing as a rusher (seven rushes, 60 yards, 8.6 yards per carry, one touchdown) and punt returner (12 returns, 66 yards, 5.5 average) in 13 games (12 starts). St. Brown earned first-team all-conference accolades as a junior (41 receptions, 478 yards, 11.7 average, seven touchdowns; six punt returns, 32 yards, 5.3 average; two kick returns, 43 yards, 21.5 average) and was a team captain in 2020, as well. His brother, Equanimeous, is a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers and his brother, Osiris, is a receiver at Stanford. His father, John Brown, is a former two-time Mr. Universe bodybuilder. -- by Chad Reuter

Barnes started twice as a true freshman in 2017 (16 tackles in 12 overall appearances) and was a full-time starter the following season (92 tackles, eight for loss, with three sacks in 13 games, 12 starts). Barnes earned all-conference recognition his final two years with the Boilermakers, first named an honorable mention selection in 2019 after tying for the team lead with 7.5 sacks in 12 starts (also posting 63 tackles, 11 for loss, and two pass breakups). The Covington, Kentucky, product and former all-state running back garnered second-team All-Big Ten notice in 2020. He tied for sixth in the FBS with 6.7 solo tackles per game, recording a team-high 54 stops in six contests (5.5 for loss), an interception and two pass breakups. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. -- by Chad Reuter

Jefferson was an All-Los Angeles selection and helped Narbonne High School win a state title as a senior before signing with the Beavers. OSU coaches got him on the field right away, as he garnered Freshman All-American, Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and honorable mention all-conference notice with 1,380 yards and 12 scores on 239 carries (5.8 per). Jefferson also caught 25 passes for 147 yards (5.9 per) in 12 appearances with nine starts. An ankle injury stunted his sophomore campaign, however, limiting him to six starts in nine games played (142 carries, 685 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, eight touchdowns; nine receptions, 85 yards, 8.4 average, one touchdown). Jefferson rebounded in 2020, taking home first-team All-Pac-12 accolades by ranking fourth in the FBS with 143 rushing yards per game (133 carries, 858 yards, 6.5 yards per carry, seven touchdowns in six starts) and ninth with 159.5 all-purpose yards per game (nine receptions, 67 yards, 7.4 average). He missed one game due to COVID-19 protocols. -- by Chad Reuter