Oregon set with two of Pac-12’s top returning offensive linemen ahead of 2023 season
One of the biggest leaders to Oregon’s success a year ago was the play of the offensive line, and the Ducks’ ability to keep the quarterback clean while also creating massive running lanes for the stable of backs in the backfield.
One of the biggest questions about the team’s success going forward in 2023 is regarding that same offensive line, and if a remade set of starters will be able to find comparable success and lead the Oregon offense in a similar fashion.
After losing players like Alex Forsyth, T.J. Bass, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, and Ryan Walk, the Ducks will have at the very least four new starters on the OL this year, as well as a new OL coach after Adrian Klemm left to take a job with the New England Patriots. Fortunately, according to Pro Football Focus, two of the guys that the Ducks have on the offensive front grade out higher than any other returning offensive lineman in the Pac-12 conference.
With incredibly talented players like Josh Conerly, Ajani Cornelius, Steven Jones, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Nishod Strother, and Junior Angilau, among others, there is a path for Oregon to have another outstanding season, this time under coach A’lique Terry. If all goes well, they will have one of the top O-lines in the conference.
Here is a look at the top-returning linemen in the Pac-12, per PFF.
Troy Fautanu — Washington Huskies
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Overall PFF Grade: 77.8
2022 Pass-Blocking Grade: 79.2
2022 Run-Blocking Grade: 74.9
Justin Dedich — USC Trojans
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Overall PFF Grade: 79.1
2022 Pass-Blocking Grade: 90.0
2022 Run-Blocking Grade: 74.1
Jake Levengood — Oregon State Beavers
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Overall PFF Grade: 79.2
2022 Pass-Blocking Grade: 77.6
2022 Run-Blocking Grade: 80.1
Joshua Gray — Oregon State Beavers
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Overall PFF Grade: 79.4
2022 Pass-Blocking Grade: 62.4
2022 Run-Blocking Grade: 85.3
Roger Rosengarten — Washington Huskies
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Overall PFF Grade: 79.6
2022 Pass-Blocking Grade: 78.5
2022 Run-Blocking Grade: 76.5
Taliese Fuaga — Oregon State Beavers
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Overall PFF Grade: 80.4
2022 Pass-Blocking Grade: 76.8
2022 Run-Blocking Grade: 79.1
Jonah Monheim — USC Trojans
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Overall PFF Grade: 82.0
2022 Pass-Blocking Grade: 85.1
2022 Run-Blocking Grade: 81.5
Jordan Morgan — Arizona Wildcats
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Overall PFF Grade: 83.1
2022 Pass-Blocking Grade: 82.0
2022 Run-Blocking Grade: 78.6
Jackson Powers-Johnson — Oregon Ducks
(AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Overall PFF Grade: 84.1
2022 Pass-Blocking Grade: 86.2
2022 Run-Blocking Grade: 84.7
Ajani Cornelius — Oregon Ducks
Overall PFF Grade: 90.1
2022 Pass-Blocking Grade: 80.9
2022 Run-Blocking Grade: 90.8
