Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com
Cornelius a Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalist
10/22/24 | Football
DALLAS - Oregon offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius was announced on Tuesday as one of 20 semifinalists for the 2024 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award.Â
In its eighth year, the award is presented to the player who best demonstrates a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.Â
Cornelius becomes the second Duck to be a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year honor. Offensive lineman Alex Forsyth was one of three finalists for the award in 2022.Â
Three finalists will be named for the award on Monday, Dec. 16. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 12, 2025.Â
Cornelius has started all seven games at right tackle so far in 2024 while helping the top-ranked Ducks to a 7-0 start. He has received a 74.1 overall grade and a team-high 78.6 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus as an anchor of an Oregon offense that has scored 30-plus points in each of its last six games.Â
In 2023, his first season with the Ducks after transferring from Rhode Island, Cornelius started all 14 games at right tackle while earning all-Pac-12 honorable mention recognition. He helped Oregon lead the nation in fewest sacks allowed (5) by allowing just 11 total pressures and zero sacks in 512 pass-blocking opportunities. His 85.3 pass-blocking grade from PFF ranked 15rh among all FBS tackles.Â
A native of Harlem, N.Y., Cornelius organized a "Back 2 School Jamboree" this Summer for young players on the Harlem Jets, his former youth football team. Kids received book bags, school supplies, and a chance to see Cornelius as an example of what is possible.
In its eighth year, the award is presented to the player who best demonstrates a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.Â
Cornelius becomes the second Duck to be a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year honor. Offensive lineman Alex Forsyth was one of three finalists for the award in 2022.Â
Three finalists will be named for the award on Monday, Dec. 16. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 12, 2025.Â
Cornelius has started all seven games at right tackle so far in 2024 while helping the top-ranked Ducks to a 7-0 start. He has received a 74.1 overall grade and a team-high 78.6 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus as an anchor of an Oregon offense that has scored 30-plus points in each of its last six games.Â
In 2023, his first season with the Ducks after transferring from Rhode Island, Cornelius started all 14 games at right tackle while earning all-Pac-12 honorable mention recognition. He helped Oregon lead the nation in fewest sacks allowed (5) by allowing just 11 total pressures and zero sacks in 512 pass-blocking opportunities. His 85.3 pass-blocking grade from PFF ranked 15rh among all FBS tackles.Â
A native of Harlem, N.Y., Cornelius organized a "Back 2 School Jamboree" this Summer for young players on the Harlem Jets, his former youth football team. Kids received book bags, school supplies, and a chance to see Cornelius as an example of what is possible.
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