By Danielle Daniels
EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon football team continued to rack up preseason honors as seven more Ducks were named to watch lists for prominent awards.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was selected to the preseason watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which honors the nation’s top quarterback.
Inside linebacker Jeffrey Bassa and offensive linemen Josh Conerly Jr. and Ajani Cornelius were named to the watch list for the Lombardi Award, given to the outstanding lineman or linebacker who best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL coach Vince Lombardi.
Offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu and outside linebackers Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei were included on the preseason watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, presented to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
QB Dillon Gabriel
» The Athletic preseason first-team all-America.
» ESPN preseason second-team all-America.
» Walter Camp Player of the Year preseason watch list.
» Maxwell Award preseason watch list.
» Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award preseason watch list.
» Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award preseason watch list.
» Big Ten Football Preseason Honors List.
» Joined Oregon in the offseason as a sixth-year transfer from Oklahoma.
» Enters 2024 in a tie for fourth in NCAA history in career total touchdowns (152) while ranking seventh in total yards (15,925) and eighth in both passing yards (14,865) and passing touchdowns (125).
» Unanimous all-Big 12 first-team selection in 2023, completing 266-of-384 passes for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 373 yards and 12 touchdowns.
ILB Jeffrey Bassa
» Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list.
» Butkus Award preseason watch list.
» Lombardi Award preseason watch list.
» All-Pac-12 second-team selection for Oregon in 2023.
» Ranked second among Ducks in 2023 with a career-high 72 tackles while adding 3.5 TFLs and an interception.
» Pick-six in fourth quarter at Texas Tech helped Oregon seal a comeback win early in the season.
» Leader of an Oregon defense that ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense (16.5 PPG), 11th in rushing defense (102.57 YPG) and 22nd in total defense (318.4 YPG).
OL Josh Conerly Jr.
» Lombardi Award preseason watch list.
» All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection in 2023.
» Started all 14 games at left tackle for the Ducks, leading the team in snaps played (901).
» Anchor of an Oregon offensive line that led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (5).
» Allowed just one sack and 17 total pressures in 511 pass-blocking opportunites.
OL Ajani Cornelius
» The Sporting News preseason first-team all-America.
» The Athletic preseason second-team all-America.
» Walter Camp preseason second-team all-America.
» Outland Trophy preseason watch list.
» Lombardi Award preseason watch list.
» Started all 14 games for the Ducks at right tackle in 2023, helping Oregon lead in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (5).
» Allowed zero sacks and just 11 total pressures in 512 pass-blocking opportunities.
» Ranked 15th among all FBS tackles with an 85.3 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.
OL Iapani Laloulu
» Polynesian College Football Player of the Year preseason watch list.
» A 247Sports true freshman all-American for the Ducks in 2023.
» Played in all 14 games as a true freshman, making first career start at center in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
» A key contributor to an Oregon offensive line that led the nation in fewest sacks allowed (5).
» Allowed zero sacks and just two total pressures in 220 pass-blocking opportunities.
» Showed positional versatility while playing 413 total snaps, including 183 at right guard, 116 at left guard and 111 at center.
OLB Teitum Tuioti
» Polynesian College Football Player of the Year preseason watch list.
» Played in the final 13 games as a true freshman in 2023 after missing the season opener.
» Finished with 30 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks and a pass breakup.
» Made at least one tackle in 12 of 13 games played, including eight multi-tackle performances.
» Played 275 total snaps, including 256 on defense.
» Credited by Pro Football Focus with 10 total pressures, including seven quarterback hurries.
OLB Matayo Uiagalelei
» Polynesian College Football Player of the Year preseason watch list.
» Played in 13 of 14 games as a true freshman in 2023.
» Finished freshman season with 18 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks and two pass breakups.
» Made at least one tackle in eight of 13 games, including six multi-tackle performances.
» Played 330 total defensive snaps.
» Credited by Pro Football Focus with 12 total pressures, including 10 QB hurries.
» Named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week after recording 2.0 TFLs and a sack in a win over Washington State.
COURTESY OREGON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
