Second-year surge: Oregon OL Josh Conerly Jr.
There is no shortage of excitement surrounding Oregon’s 2023 signing class ahead of Dan Lanning’s second season at the helm of the program.
But as the Ducks look to improve upon last year’s 10-3 finish, they are going to need several of their ’22 signees to make significant progress.
Oregon’s 2022 signing class — the first of the Lanning era — featured 17 commits and was the 11th-best in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. The group played sparingly, though; just six freshmen burned their redshirt last season, and only two exceeded the 100-snap mark.
With fall camp just around the corner, the ScoopDuck staff is taking a look at where some of Oregon’s key second-year scholarship players might fit into the Ducks’ 2023 plans. Next up is offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.
OL Josh Conerly Jr.
Size: 6-foot-4, 290 pounds
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 38 overall, No. 5 offensive tackle, No. 1 in Washington
2022 stats: Appeared in 13 games, played 118 total snaps on offense and 60 on special teams. Did not allow a pressure in 27 pass-blocking opportunities, according to Pro Football Focus.
Freshman year recap
Josh Conerly arrived in Eugene as the top-rated offensive tackle prospect in program history and brought plenty of expectations with him. It was always going to be difficult for the former 4-star signee to carve out consistent playing time, as the Ducks featured all-conference left tackle T.J. Bass last fall.
And yet, Conerly still found a way to make a significant impact for the Ducks. He ultimately saw the most playing time of any Oregon offensive true freshman by a wide margin.
Conerly featured regularly in Kenny Dillingham’s “14-J” short-yardage package and thrived in goal-line scenarios. He eclipsed the double-digit snap mark in four different games and played a season-high 26 snaps against Arizona.
Early in the Ducks’ blowout win over Colorado, he became the first Oregon offensive lineman in 27 years to catch a touchdown pass.
The buzz…
During an April interview, Oregon first-year offensive line coach A’lique Terry was asked if Conerly reminds him of any players he has worked with in the past.
He responded with a glowing description of what makes Conerly such an exciting prospect and called him “the hardest worker in the room.”
“Josh Conerly has a unique skill set; I mean that respectfully,” Terry said. “He almost has feet like a safety or outside linebacker. He’s got the power of a lineman. So, he’s got the tools that are necessary to be another special force.”
After Oregon’s first spring practice, Lanning was asked which players have stepped up as leaders since the end of the 2022 season. The first player he mentioned was Conerly.
While Conerly’s work throughout the offseason has drawn praise from the UO staff, Conerly was rather critical of himself following the Ducks’ spring game and pinpointed the aspect of his game that still needs to improve.
“Just having a nasty streak,” Conerly said. “I feel like a lot of people will tend to say I really don’t have that grit and grind. Finishing people off, finishing all my blocks is something I really want to work on.”
In 2023…
Conerly is going to be Oregon’s starting left tackle and will be bookended with Rhode Island transfer Ajani Cornelius.
While Bass and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu formed a stellar tackle pairing for the Ducks over the last several seasons, Conerly and Cornelius could help Lanning and Terry seamlessly replace the all-conference duo.
Both players were tabbed as preseason all-conference honorable mention selections earlier this week.
Oregon allowed just five sacks last season — the fewest in the nation. As the Ducks work to replace four multi-year starters, Conerly and Cornelius will be integral in ensuring that the offensive line continues to operate at a high level.
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