The true sophomore took quickly to being Bo Nix’s blindside protector. Not only was 2023 his first year carrying that role, but it was his first as a starter too. Conerly had his ups and downs against elite competition, but was undoubtedly an above average starter. He led the team in snaps played (901) and allowed just one sack and 17 total pressures in 2023. His return should help solidify Dillon Gabriel’s entrance into the offense.
Games started: 14/14
PFF Grade: 61.2
PFF pos. rank in Pac-12: 15th of 24
Harper’ return keeps last year’s left side of the line intact. Per PFF grades, Harper was the weakest link up front, but that doesn’t make him a slouch. He was still one of five starters on one of the nation’s best line groups. While his overall grade was low, he was again excellent in pass protection, turning in the Pac-12’s third best pass block grade for an offensive guard with just six pressures allowed all season. The 325 pounder will be a fifth-year senior in 2024.
C JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON — LEAVING
ames started: 13/14
PFF Grade: 84.3
PFF pos. rank in Pac-12: 1st of 12
There are several offensive departures that really hurt, and this is one of them. When 2023 began, most expected Powers-Johnson, who was entering his first year as a starter, back for next season. However, Powers-Johnson proved too good to stick around in college any longer. How good? He was a consensus All-American and received the school’s first Rimington Trophy which is given to the nation’s best center each year. It’s expected that sophomore Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu, who started the Fiesta Bowl at center, will be his replacement in 2024.
RG STEVEN JONES — LEAVING
Games started: 14/14
PFF Grade: 72.6
PFF pos. rank in Pac-12: 4th of 24
It was good to see Jones back and healthy for his final season with the program. Jones had been around long enough to start in place of Penei Sewell during the 2018 season. There were few better interior linemen in the conference in 2023, and Jones’ size and strength will be hard to replace. Jones proved far better on pass downs than most would expect for a 340 pound lineman, finishing with the third best pass blocking grade in the entire country for his position. The Ducks have brought in another experienced lineman to replace him. Indiana transfer Matthew Bedford has 39 starts to his name already, and most recently played right guard for the Hoosiers.
RT AJANI CORNELIUS — RETURNING
Games started: 14/14
PFF Grade: 77.8
PFF pos. rank in Pac-12: 3rd of 24
Making the move from FCS to Power 5 football didn’t prove too much of an issue for Cornelius. He started all 14 games at right tackle, finished with one of the nation’s better PFF grades for his position (21st nationally), and played more snap than anyone other than Conerly. Oregon gave up just five sacks all season, and Cornelius was responsible for zero of them. Cornelius has a fair amount of buzz entering the 2024 season. ESPN recently named him a second-team preseason All-American.
TE TERRANCE FERGUSON — RETURNING
Games started: 12/14
PFF Grade: 66.7
PFF pos. rank in Pac-12: Ninth of 17
The Ducks will bring back their two top tight ends in Ferguson and Patrick Herbert in 2024. Ferguson is coming off the best receiving season of his career, catching 42 balls for 414 yards and six touchdowns — all career-highs. He came a few shy of setting the school-record for most receptions by a tight end in a season. Ferguson has a chance to place himself near or at the top of every career tight end leaderboard with a strong senior season. He elected to return despite interest from the NFL.
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