ESPN names Oregon's 'newcomer to watch' prior to the start of spring practice
ESPN previewed spring practice for every Pac-12 team on Wednesday.
That included Oregon, which is looking to build off of a 9-3 campaign in Dan Lanning’s first season at the helm. The Ducks were rolling until a late-season injury to quarterback Bo Nix preceded losses in two of their last three regular-season games.
A big reason for the success up to that point was Oregon’s ability to keep Nix upright and free from any danger. With a huge piece of that offensive line moving on from the program, Oregon’s strength up front will be a major storyline throughout the offseason. ESPN’s writers seem to feel the same.
ESPN analysts picked a “newcomer to watch” for each team in the league. For the Ducks, it’s a transfer on the offensive line.
Here’s what Kyle Bonagura wrote:
Offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius is one of the more interesting offseason transfers. An unheralded recruit coming out of high school in New York, he blossomed into one of the most sought-after players in the portal over the last two seasons at FCS Rhode Island.
Cornelius was one of two transfer offensive linemen to join the program this offseason, alongside former Texas lineman Junior Angilau.
A 6-foot-4, 315-pounder, he was the top offensive tackle to hit the transfer portal this past cycle, per 247Sports. Cornelius was a two-year starter at Rhode Island, where he was a first-team All-CAA selection in 2022. In all likelihood, he’ll take the place of Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu on the right side of the Ducks’ line.
If the remade line can even partially replicate the success of last year’s group, Oregon should be in good shape.