DALLAS — Oregon offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius was named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy on Tuesday morning, while inside linebacker Jeffrey Bassa and defensive back Jabbar Muhammad landed on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
In its 79th year, the Outland Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is given each year to the top defensive player in college football. Both awards have 75 total players on their preseason watch lists.
Cornelius started all 14 games at right tackle in his first season with the Ducks in 2023, helping Oregon lead the nation with just five total sacks allowed. Cornelius allowed zero sacks and just 11 total pressures in 512 pass-blocking opportunities, and ranked 15th among all tackles in the nation with an 85.3 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. The Harlem, N.Y., native was an anchor for an Oregon offense that led the nation in passing offense (346.9 YPG) while ranking second in scoring offense (44.2 PPG), second in total offense (531.4 YPG) and 30th in rushing offense (184.5 YPG).
Bassa was an all-conference second-team selection in 2023, starting all 14 games as the leader of an Oregon defense that was among the most improved units in the nation. He finished second on the team with a career-high 72 total tackles while adding 3.5 tackles for loss and an interception, a crucial pick-six that sealed Oregon’s road win at Texas Tech early in the season. With Bassa commanding the middle of the defense, the Ducks ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense (16.5 PPG), 11th in rushing defense (102.57 YPG) and 22nd in total defense (318.4 YPG).
Muhammad joined the Ducks this offseason after earning second-team all-conference honors last year with Washington. Muhammad started all 15 games for the Huskies, finishing with 46 tackles, three interceptions, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and 19 passes defended. He tied for second nationally in passes defended while ranking third with 16 pass breakups, leading the conference in both categories. The DeSoto, Texas, native had three pass breakups in the CFP Semifinal against Texas before adding two tackles and a pass breakup in the national championship game vs. Michigan.
The Ducks will open preseason camp on July 31, exactly one month before kicking off their inaugural season as members of the Big Ten Conference against Idaho on Aug. 31 in Autzen Stadium (4:30 p.m. PT, Big Ten Network). Single-game tickets are on sale now, as well as a two-game mini plan for the Idaho and Boise State (Sept. 7) games. CLICK HERE to select your seats.
