Oregon got more good news on Sunday.

Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden and Terrance Ferguson are coming back to catch passes from Dillon Gabriel. Noah Whittington is coming back looking to lead the backfield. And starting right tackle Ajani Cornelius is coming back to block for them. The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman revealed on social media Sunday that he will return for a fifth year in 2024.

 

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With Marcus Harper II and Josh Conerly Jr. both expected back, Oregon will bring three starters back from another outstanding offensive line. Iapani Laloulu is expected to step in to replace Jackson Powers-Johnson at center, and the 2024 class will bring Indiana transfer Matthew Bredford into the fold.

There’s optimism about what Conerly and Cornelius can do for the Ducks next season as bookends on the line.

Cornelius allowed only 11 quarterback pressures this season, with just one hit on the quarterback among those pressures. Among qualified Pac-12 offensive linemen, he had the fifth-best overall grade from Pro Football Focus, the seventh-best pass-blocking grade, and the eighth-best run-blocking grade.

At Rhode Island in 2022, Cornelius was an outstanding tackle. Many believed he’d come to Oregon, prove he can play at any level, and then move on to the NFL.

But, just like so many other Oregon players, it appears Cornelius isn’t satisfied with the way the 2023 season played out. Given all that’s coming back, the Ducks look like they’ll step into the Big Ten and immediately contend for a spot in the conference’s title game.