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The 2024 Oregon football season gets underway in earnest this week as the Ducks return to the practice field in preparation for their Big Ten debut.
Oregon won’t be devoid of star players going into its 12-game regular season, which kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 in Autzen Stadium against Idaho.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, wide receiver Tez Johnson and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa were named preseason all-Big-Ten in the USA TODAY media poll, with Gabriel, a transfer from Oklahoma, also being named the preseason player of the year and newcomer of the year.
Oregon inside linebacker Jestin Jacobs celebrates a defensive stop against Washington State during the third quarter at Autzen Stadium Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
Two other high profile transfers, receiver Evan Stewart and cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, are expected to make an immediate and significant impact for the Ducks.
Those five will have an obvious role in what type of success Oregon has this fall, but several others will as well.
A deeper look at newcomers will come later during fall camp, but for now, here are 10 returning players — five offense, five defense — expected to play a pivotal role in racking up wins for the Ducks.
5 returning offensive players critical for Oregon football
Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius (65) plays against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium Jan. 1, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona.
OL Ajani Cornelius
The right tackle has already proven himself to be a top-end player. He was a 14-game starter in 2023 and named all-Pac-12 honorable mention by the conference coaches after a season in which he allowed zero sacks and 11 total pressures in 512 pass-blocking opportunities. But with a left-handed quarterback taking over behind center for the Ducks, the 6-foot-5, 308-pound senior will now be in charge…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/10-players-key-role-oregon-130125804.html
Author : The Register-Guard
Publish date : 2024-07-28 13:01:25
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