Oregon Ducks Fall Training Camp: Offensive Line

The Oregonian/OregonLive will preview each of the 10 position groups leading up to the start of Oregon’s fall camp on July 31. The fifth installment in the series will discuss the offensive line.

EUGENE — A year ago, there was far too much talk about the challenge Oregon faced in replacing four starters on the offensive line. The Ducks reiterated their record of allowing the fewest sacks in the country, and Jackson Powers-Johnson won the Rimington Trophy.

Rebuilding the offensive line has become a lot easier for Oregon since the arrival of Mario Cristobal and that is expected to continue into the fall and beyond.

Marcus Harper II, Ajani Cornelius and Josh Conerly Jr. return to the group that added Matthew Bedford at guard and has Iapani Laloulu in position to take over at center.

Group No. 2 is less solid and with at least three players leaving after this season, questions about the long term are still relevant.

Returning starters: Marcus Harper II, fifth-year senior; Ajani Cornelius, fifth-year senior; Josh Conerly Jr., junior

Other returning players: Matthew Bedford, sixth-year senior; Nishad Strother, sixth-year senior; George Silva, fifth-year senior; Dave Iuli, third-year; Kawika Rogers, sophomore; Iapani Laloulu, sophomore; Gernorris Wilson, freshman; Bryce Boulton, freshman; Lipe Moala, freshman; Trent Ferguson, freshman; JacQawn McRoy, freshman

Left: Junior Angilau; Steven Jones; Jackson Powers-Johnson; Michael Wooten (transferred to Arizona); Faaope Laloulu (became student manager)

Summer arrivals: Devin Brooks, Fox Crader

Perspective: The biggest question in the short term for the room, if not the offense, is Laloulu’s snaps. He admitted as much before the Fiesta Bowl. There were several rough snaps during the spring game.

Dillon Gabriel said he and Laloulu have been working on snaps all summer. Assuming the issues are resolved, there’s little to worry about with the starting lineup.

The long-term future of the room is much less certain. Laloulu is set to return in 2025, and Conerly could as well. Dave Iuli has played a lot for a non-starter so far and could be the best inside backup and likely starter next year. But who else is in that group remains to be seen.

Kawika Rogers is likely to be in the two deep at tackle position. JacQawn McRoy could be a starter in the not too distant future.

Battle to watch: The position of reserve midfielder Charlie Pickard on paper versus the reality that it is most likely Harper could have a huge knock-on effect if he is called up in a match.

Keep an eye on: Cornelius. Probably Oregon’s top pro prospect this year, he’ll protect Dillon Gabriel’s blind side this fall.

Two deep projected:

Left tackle

Josh Conerly Jr.: 6-foot-3, 238 pounds

George Silva: 2.01 meters, 144 kilos

Left guard

Marcus Harper II: 6-foot-1, 250 pounds

Dave Iuli: 6-foot-1, 300 pounds

Centre

Iapani Laloulu: 6-foot-1, 325 pounds

Charlie Pickard: 6-foot-1, 250 pounds

Right guard