Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr. named to Outland Trophy watch list
With his sophomore season set to begin this week, Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. has been named among the top linemen in the nation.
On Monday, the Football Writers Association of America announced its 91-player watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is presented annually to the top interior lineman in college football.
Conerly is the lone Oregon player and is one of 12 Pac-12 players who were named to the watch list.
This year’s watch list includes 31 offensive tackles, 24 defensive tackles, 24 guards, and 12 centers.
A former 4-star signee who was the top player in Oregon’s 2022 signing class, Conerly was the No. 38 player and No. 5 offensive tackle in his class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
Last season, he played the most snaps of any Oregon offensive true freshman and carved out a role as an extra blocker in the Ducks’ “14-J” jumbo package. Early in the Ducks’ blowout win over Colorado, he became the first Oregon offensive lineman in 27 years to catch a touchdown pass.
According to Pro Football Focus, Conerly did not allow a pressure in 27 pass-blocking opportunities.
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With fall camp set to kick off in Eugene this week, Conerly is projected to be the starting left tackle for an Oregon team that is replacing four multi-year starters along the offensive line.
Throughout spring ball, Conerly drew praise from teammates and coaches for the progress he has made since the end of last season. Head coach Dan Lanning pinpointed him as somebody who has stepped up as a leader in recent months.
“The best part about Josh Conerly is that he’s a freak athlete, but he’s the hardest worker in our room,” Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry said. “What does that do for everybody else? If one of the best players in your room is your hardest worker, it becomes contagious.”
With Conerly expected to lock down Oregon’s starting left tackle job, Rhode Island transfer Ajani Cornelius is the projected starter at right tackle. Marcus Harper, Steven Jones, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Nishad Strother, and Junior Angiulau are all competing for starting jobs along the interior offensive line.
The Outland Trophy winner will be chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The recipient of the award will be announced in December.
Former Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell (2019) is the only player in program history to win the Outland Trophy.
