Josh Conerly Jr. Discusses Matayo Uiagalelei, Illinois
Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. spoke with media today and addressed Illinois’ front seven, facing the Ducks’ defense in practice, and more. Below are the most notable questions and quotes from Conerly’s interview as well as my thoughts at the end.
On what he sees from Illinois’ defensive front seven:
“They’re a great group with a lot of experience and they play with a lot of pride. They’ll be a great challenge for us.”
On becoming a focal point of Oregon’s offensive line:
“Just keeping my feet in the ground and shooting my hands, keeping my head up. There’s a lot of balance to it.”
On facing the Ducks’ defense in practice:
“I don’t think there’s a better front in the nation. That’s why I feel like we’ve gotten so much better over the course of the year because when you go against the people we go against every day it tends to transfer into the game.”
On Matayo Uiagalelei‘s development as a sophomore:
“Matayo’s that dude I’m not gonna lie. There’s no one I’ve seen come in and just work the way he works.”
“There are people who come in and work obviously but he can play anywhere you want and cause havoc. There aren’t a lot of dudes at his size with his speed and ability.”
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On what Oregon’s defense getting a shutout last week means:
“It’s beautiful. There’s always pressure when you go on the field but it takes the pressure away to score on this drive.”
On being able to watch football without a tactical mindset:
“Sundays for sure. I wouldn’t say I watch for fun though, I think ‘we run that’ so you’re always aware of it when you watch so much.”
Linden’s Take:
Conerly definitely gives an offensive lineman’s interview in a lot of ways. There was a question initially about his recruitment process that he brushed off without a lot of hesitation.
He’s one of the most important and skilled players on Oregon’s roster and you can see his leadership developing over time as he plays his junior season. Like Kobe Savage earlier today, Conerly’s high standard of play will be crucial for the Ducks’ offensive success moving down the second half of the season.
