Ajani Cornelius Recaps Day 12 of Oregon Fall Camp
Oregon Football tackle Ajani Cornelius fielded questions from media following the 12th day of Ducks’ fall camp.
Below are notable questions and quotes from Cornelius’ interview as well as my thoughts at the end.
On building chemistry with new starting center Iapani Laloulu:
“I think it’s going well, just getting those reps in each and every day. Fall camp is the best time to bond together and create that chemistry so I’d say it’s going really well.”
On Laloulu’s development this offseason:
“He’s been super confident, he looks amazing. It’s always fun playing with him. He’s even stronger now, he’s more confident, he’s older, you can just tell he’s more seasoned as a player.”
On goals for himself between Oregon Football’s first and second fall scrimmages:
“Probably just continuing to be a leader for the guys and little fundamental things. Every day just sharpening everything that I can.”
On how the Ducks implement and deal with physicality in fall camp:
“That’s our thing. I think we’re embracing it in the trenches every day, we go at it and we get better from it so it’s a real ‘iron sharpens iron’ mentality.”
On what motivates him personally:
“Definitely everybody back home, everything that they sacrificed for me to be in the position I’m in today. All my friends back in Harlem who didn’t get to play at this level.”
On under-the-radar players he’s been impressed with thus far:
“Everybody really looks good I think. Coach Terry is doing a great job with the young players. Kawika (Rogers) and George Silva have been working, all those dudes on the interior like Nishad Strother. They’re making our line even better.”
On what he’s seen from offensive line coach A’lique Terry:
“First of all he’s young so he’s a joy to be around but he’s serious and he’s dialed in when it’s time to do that. His experience with the Vikings (NFL) makes him so smart so he’s educated me so much on both sides of the ball.”
“He’s helped me so much with my technique in terms of pass pro(tection). He always brings 100% energy every day, never lacking, so it’s been a pleasure to be coached by him.”
On defensive players he’s enjoyed competing against:
“Definitely Matayo (Uiagalelei), he’s doing a great job. Obviously Jordan Burch, Teitum (Tuioti) is having a great camp so all those guys, I’m excited to see what they continue to do.”
On who the best trash talker amongst that group is:
“Actually, all three of those dudes are pretty quiet but me and Burch, we go at it quite a bit.
Linden’s take:
Ajani Cornelius is a great interview and player.
He’s been everything Oregon could’ve asked for when he transferred from Rhode Island and figures to be yet better this season.
It sounds like his relationship with A’lique Terry is functioning at a high level which certainly can’t hurt Oregon’s offensive line this year.
Energy from coaches is a consistent thing we hear from player interviews and it seems Dan Lanning has prioritized this when hiring, to good effect.
I wasn’t shocked to hear that his training camp battles with Jordan Burch are intense as the two are among Oregon Football’s premier players on the lines of scrimmage.
