Two Oregon Players Land on ESPN's Way-Too-Early All-America Team

ESPN views quarterback Dillon Gabriel and offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius as two of the best players at their positions heading into next season.

We're at the point in the offseason where various publication post their way-too-early lists for the 2024 college football season. 

On Tuesday ESPN senior writer Chris Low released his way-too-early All-America team for the 2024 season and both Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel and offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius made the cut as second-team selections.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was Low's first-team selection, and he'll return to Athens with another loaded group of playmakers at his disposal. 

As for Gabriel, he was one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 at Oklahoma last season, throwing for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns against 6 interceptions. He completed 69.3% of his passes while also running for 373 yards and 12 touchdowns, marks good enough for him to be named a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection.

He'll have big shoes to fill as the Ducks move on from Heisman trophy finalist Bo Nix at quarterback after he spent the last two years in Eugene. 

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel celebrates a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers :: © SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Low slated Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. as his first-team selection for offensive tackle, and it's hard to argue with his body of work out on the the Forty Acres in Austin, as he's been the starting left tackle since he stepped on campus.

The 6-foot-5, 308-pound Cornelius opted to return for one more season of college football in 2024 after transferring over from Rhode Island. 

He more than proved that he can be a big-time player at the Power 5 level, as he was a reliable and effective right tackle on an A'lique Terry-led offensive line that was one of five finalists for the Joe Moore Award.

Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius (65) blocks against the Washington State Cougars :: Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

He also earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention for the 2023 season. 

The returning duo of Cornelius and Josh Conerly Jr. gives Gabriel two bookend tackles to hold down the edges in Will Stein's offense. 

The addition of Gabriel and the return of Cornelius are just reasons why Oregon should once again field one of the best offenses in college football next season.

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