Depth Chart Deep Dive: Oregon left tackles
With spring ball in the rearview, and the transfer portal closed, we’re beginning to get an idea of what Oregon’s depth chart might look like in 2023.
Since the end of the 2022 regular season, Dan Lanning’s program added 14 players via the portal while 30 former Ducks opted to seek opportunities elsewhere.
As we near the start of fall camp, the ScoopDuck staff is taking an in-depth, position-by-position look at the Oregon roster.
Next up, the left tackle position.
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Spring Synopsis
T.J. Bass, a three-year starter who was one of the best run-blocking tackles in the conference last season, has exhausted his eligibility. That means Oregon is now in search of a new starter to protect Bo Nix’s blindside.
Rising sophomore Josh Conerly Jr. is one of the top offensive line signees in program history and projects as the Ducks’ heir apparent at left tackle. While Oregon added a pair of impact transfers in Ajani Cornelius (Rhode Island) and George Silva (Fullerton College). However, both of those players are likely to slot in at right tackle.
During the open portions of spring practice, fourth-year junior Faaope Laloulu was seen working at left tackle and he played there during the Ducks’ spring game. The same was true for redshirt freshman Michael Wooten.
Projected Starter
Conerly entered the spring with a chance to establish himself as the cornerstone of Oregon’s offensive line after four multi-year starters departed during the offseason.
Throughout the month of April, Conerly did exactly that.
The former 5-star signee was one of the Ducks’ brightest true freshmen last season and played 118 snaps — the most among any offensive player from Oregon’s ’22 singing class. He carved out a role in Kenny Dillingham’s vaunted “14-J” package and he became the first Oregon offensive lineman in 27 years to catch a touchdown pass.
As he enters his second year in Eugene, Conerly now figures to become the starting left tackle for an Oregon team that has ambitions of winning a national title. While his physical and technical improvements over the past few months have been significant, it was his progression as a leader that stood out to head coach Dan Lanning from the get-go this spring.
“It’d be hard to mention one or two, but a guy who really stands out to me going into year two is Josh Conerly,” Lanning said after Oreegon’s first spring practice. “The guy is working his tail off in everything that he does. The way he stretches. … Just the way he approaches everything. His mentality in the classroom as well.”
Other than injury, what can change?
It would be shocking if Conerly doesn’t open the season as Oregon’s starting left tackle.
He’s one of the more sheerly talented players in the Pac-12 and, by all accounts, is also one of the hardest workers at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex. Meanwhile, Cornelius was one of the more highly-coveted players — at any position — during the previous transfer cycle. As long as he and Conerly are healthy, Oregon will have a pair of NFL-caliber starting tackles book-ending its offensive line.
But if you’re looking for a potential breakout candidate to push for playing time, Silva might be the best bet among Oregon’s tackles.
At 6-foot-7, 295 pounds he is a massive presence. The On3 Industry Ranking tabbed him as the top JUCO offensive lineman and No. 5 overall JUCO prospect in the country.
While it’s unlikely he takes a starting job from Conerly or Cornelius, he could still prove to be an impact addition next fall.
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