Oregon Spring Football Preview: Offensive Line Should be Elite Again in 2024

A'lique Terry's leadership has ensured the Ducks will continue to produce high-end offensive linemen for years to come.

Today I'm continuing my Oregon Football spring preview with a closer look at the offensive line. I've already covered quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end, so make sure to give those a read so you're up to speed in time for the first practice on Thursday.

Oregon has become somewhat of a factory for offensive linemen in recent years, with Penei Sewell, winner of the 2019 Outland Trophy, serving as the crown jewel of the Ducks' efforts in the offensive trenches.

A lot of people thought Oregon's offensive line was set for a drop off in 2023. After all, the Ducks lost their offensive line coach Adrian Klemm and were tasked with replacing four starters (Alex Forsyth, Ryan Walk, T.J. Bass, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu). But A'lique Terry tuned out all the outside noise and produced a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, which recognizes the best offensive line in college football.

Now entering spring practice, the Ducks will once again need to replace a few starters, but they've got plenty of talent to work with. 

Left Tackle: Josh Conerly Jr.

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

2023 PFF Grades: 68.8 offense | 78.8 pass block | 64.6 run block

After seeing the field in every game as a true freshman, Conerly was stellar in his first season as Oregon's full-time starting left tackle and did a great job helping keep Bo Nix upright. 

He's lived up to his five-star billing as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2022 recruiting class and his mix of power and athleticism make him an asset in both pass and run blocking. If he keeps doing what he's doing, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound mauler is on track to be a top tackle prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Left Guard: Marcus Harper II

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

2023 PFF Grades: 61.3 offense | 82.1 pass block | 52.0 run block

Harper returns to Eugene for one last ride as a senior. He's been quietly consistent holding things down at left guard and has been perhaps an unheralded part of the offensive line with nearly two full seasons as a starter.

The former three-star recruit has developed nicely at the college level and hasn't looked back since stepping in for an injured Steven Jones against Georgia in the 2022 season opener. 

Center: Iapani 'Poncho' Laloulu

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2023 PFF Grades: 65.4 offense | 79.1 pass block | 62.1 run block

Laloulu spent most of the 2023 season trading time with Steven Jones at right guard, but he's long been circled as the successor to Rimington Trophy winner Jackson Powers-Johnson at center. 

He got his first start at the position in the Fiesta Bowl against Liberty and looked comfortable, strong and consistent. The 6-foot-2, 325-pound Honolulu native earned freshman All-American recognition from 247Sports and looks to be the early gem from Oregon's offensive linemen in the 2023 signing class.

Now he'll work on building a chemistry with Gabriel and the rest of the quarterbacks this spring as he becomes the new general of A'lique Terry's offensive line.

Right Guard: Matthew Bedford

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2023 PFF Grades: 71.0 offense grade | 67.7 pass block | 70.7 run block

Bedford is the only projected starter that wasn't on the Oregon roster last year. However, he was one of the most experienced players at his position in the transfer portal and he brings a nasty streak with him to Eugene. He's the likely replacement for Jones at right guard heading into 2024 and he already knows what it's like to play in the Big Ten.

An experienced offensive line is key to a strong offense, especially one that's breaking in a new quarterback, and his addition will ensure the big nasties up front continue to bring the juice.

Right Tackle: Ajani Cornelius

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

2023 PFF Grades: 77.9 offense | 85.3 pass block | 73.1 run block

Cornelius is a player that probably could've held his own among offensive tackles in this year's draft, but with a loaded class as his position, maybe it's for the best that he returned to Eugene. I know A'lique Terry has to be over the moon to have one more year with the 6-foot-5, 308-pounder from Harlem, New York.

The veteran's return gives Oregon both of their bookend tackles for 2024 and Cornelius shined in both run blocking and pass protection. I doubt it will change much in his approach, but now he'll be protecting Dillon Gabriel's blind side. 

From his perspective, it's great that someone as experienced as Cornelius has his back.

Best of the Rest

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There are a lot of other names worthy of a mention here, even if we haven't seen much from them. The Ducks have always placed a premium on recruiting talent in the trenches and fortunately they have some good pieces to turn to.

Nishad Strother is probably their most experienced option, however we didn't see much of him in 2023 after he transferred over from East Carolina. Other names that could see the field in 2024 include Faoope Laloulu, Kavika Rogers, Dave Iuli and George Silva.

Laloulu has been in the program for a number of years and Silva is a player that generated some excitement as a JUCO prospect despite having a primarily basketball background. True freshman JacQawn McRoy is a 6-foot-8, 365-pound giant from Alabama that was the headliner of the 2024 O-line haul for the Ducks, but his path to playing time is murky because of the returners at his position.

I'll be continue to roll out my position-by-position preview this week before the start of spring practice, so make sure to continue reading Ducks Digest.

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