Analysis: Four Oregon Ducks Earn Multiple Preseason All-America Honors

Breaking down the four Oregon Duck Football athletes getting preseason recognition before hitting the field on August 31st versus the University of Idaho Vandals.

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel walks the field during practice with the Ducks Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Amongst the chaos, anticipation, and talk around this season of college football, change is the only thing that’s certain. This season promises a fresh look at new conference layouts, a brand new 12-team College Football Playoff, transfer moves galore, and overall another step towards college athletic departments feeling like professional organizations.

So much is uncertain in the dawn of the 2024 season, which is why selections for All-American teams felt so up in the air. Throughout this week, ESPN, The Athletic, The Sporting News, and CBS Sports released their preseason college football All-American selections. And wouldn’t you know, quite a few Oregon Ducks made the list. In fact, the Big Ten Conference often came in second for most awarded players on these lists.

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, wide receiver Tez Johnson, offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius, and defensive back Jabbar Muhammad all received All-American nods from a variety of different publications. In this article we’ll round up each athlete’s All-American honors and why they’re receiving such a distinction before stepping into the full 2024 season.

Oregon quarterbacks Luke Moga, left, and Dillon Gabriel during the Ducks’ fall camp Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dillon Gabriel, Quarterback, Senior

Gabriel was listed as a second team member for CBS Sports, first team for The Athletic, and second team for ESPN.

Gabriel enters this season as the de facto starter for Oregon’s quarterback room in front of sophomore Dante Moore and freshman Austin Novosad. Transferring from Oklahoma and repping Marcus Mariota’s former number eight, Gabriel is currently tied for fourth nationally in total career touchdowns with 152 and is 12 starts away from breaking the NCAA start records former Oregon Duck Bo Nix holds at 61.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning and many other members of the Oregon Football team praise Gabriel for his leadership abilities. Gabriel is highly anticipated to excel on the field for Oregon this year.

Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson works out during the Ducks’ fall camp Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Tez Johnson, Wide Receiver, Senior

Johnson was marked for second team for CBS Sports, second team for ESPN, and first team for The Sporting News All-American teams.

Johnson is expected to break several school records for the Ducks this season. Last year, Johnson put up 1,182 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns, and 86 receptions, the most for a Duck in a single season. He was one of eleven athletes in the nation to punch in over 1,000 yards last year.

During Oregon’s media day, Johnson has expressed his desire to be a vocal leader on the team this year. In a room with 15 talented receivers, which is bigger than the average 12-13 receiver room, Johnson is almost assumed by most media members to be a clear top of the depth chart.

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius (65) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ajani Cornelius, Offensive Tackle, Senior

Cornelius was labeled as first team for The Sporting News and second team for The Athletic.

Cornelius played 899 snaps in all fourteen games for the Ducks last season at right tackle. He was named to an All-PAC-12 Honorable Mention for his efforts. He helped the offensive line only allow 44 tackles for loss and five sacks overall, both high ranking statistics nationally.

Earlier this summer in July, Cornelius was named to the Outland Trophy watch list, given to the best interior offensive lineman in the nation. The last Duck to win that award was Penei Sewell.

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies cornerback Jabbar Muhammad (1) and Mishael Powell (3) against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jabbar Muhammad, Defensive Back, Senior

Muhammad was named to The Sporting News second team.

The former University of Washington Husky turned Duck, Muhammad is transitioning well to his new surroundings. Last year with the College Football Championship runner-up, Muhammad hit three different All-PAC-12 team lists. He racked up three interceptions, two sacks, five tackles for loss, and 46 tackles overall. He led the PAC-12 last year in passes defended and pass break-ups.

During a fall camp media availability, Muhammad spoke to the physicality of the Oregon team. He was also named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, the award given to the nation’s most talented defensive player.

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