Ajani Cornelius
Oregon Ducks – No. 65
PositionRight tackle
ClassJunior
Personal information
Born: (2002-05-21) May 21, 2002
Harlem, New York, U.S.
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight310 lb (141 kg)
Career history
College
High schoolArchbishop Stepinac
(White Plains, New York)
Career highlights and awards
  • First Team All-CAA (2022)

Ajani James Cornelius (born May 21, 2002) is an American football offensive lineman for the Oregon Ducks. He previously played with the Rhode Island Rams where he earned First-Team All-CAA honors before entering the transfer portal in 2022.

High school career

Cornelius attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York. During his time there he was a back-to-back state and league champion in both 2018 and 2019,[1] he also was named team captain and the 2019 Catholic High School Football League (CHSFLAAA) Offensive Lineman of the Year.[2] Cornelius committed to the University of Rhode Island on February 3, 2020.[3][4]

College career

Rhode Island

Cornelius made his collegiate debut at right tackle against No. 11 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens in reserve during the 2020–21 spring season.[5]

In first fall season as a freshman, he started all eleven games for the Rams. His first start came against the Bryant Bulldogs where the team rushed for a season-high 235 yards without allowing a single sack in a 45–21 win.[6] He helped lead the Rams to average 133.6 rushing yards per game.[7]

In 2022, Cornelius once again started all eleven games for the Rams. He helped the team have eight games where the team tallied over 150 yards, including 288 yards and three touchdown against the team's rival Brown.[8] The team ranked fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) sacks allowed with 21. The team also finished fourth in the CAA in both rushing yards per game with 168.8, and in passing yards per game with 235.5, alongside also being the third-highest scoring offense averaging 30.6 points per game.[9] After the season, Cornelius received First Team All-CAA football honors.[10][11] He entered the transfer portal on December 1, 2022.[12][13][14][15]

Oregon

On December 21, 2022, Cornelius transferred to the University of Oregon to play for the Ducks under coach Dan Lanning.[16] Prior to the season, he was named as an honorable mention for the preseason All Pac-12 team.[17]

References

  1. ↑ Zacchio, Mike. "Football: Stepinac repeats as Catholic state champs with dominating 49-7 win". lohud.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  2. ↑ "Lineman of the Year". nychsfl.org. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  3. ↑ "Ajani Cornelius Timeline Events". 247sports.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  4. ↑ "Ajani Cornelius". 247sports.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  5. ↑ Demling, Jody. "Louisville offers Rhode Island OL transfer Ajani Cornelius". 247sports.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  6. ↑ Geoghegan, William. "College football: URI opens with big win against Bryant". thewesterlysun.com. The Independent. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  7. ↑ Coit, Nick. "Seven URI Rams Earn All-CAA Football Honors". abc6.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  8. ↑ Koch, Bill. "Here's how URI extended its winning ways over Brown in Governor's Cup". providencejournal.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  9. ↑ "Ajani Cornelius". gorhody.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  10. ↑ "Eight Rams Named to CAA Football All-Conference Team". gorhody.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  11. ↑ Smith, Kaiden. "Rhode Island offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius piles up major Power 5 offers from Nebraska, others". on3.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  12. ↑ McKewon, Sam. "New Nebraska coach Matt Rhule pursuing FCS offensive prospects in transfer portal". omaha.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  13. ↑ Callihan, Schuyler. "Top FCS OL Transfer Receives Offer from West Virginia". si.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  14. ↑ McCarthy, JD. "Auburn offers Rhode Island OT transfer Ajani Cornelius". auburnwire.usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  15. ↑ Dohn, Brian. "OT Ajani Cornelius, hottest prospect in the transfer portal, breaks down recruitment". 247sports.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  16. ↑ Schultz, Nick (2022-12-21). "BREAKING: Oregon lands massive transfer commitment from top target". On3. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  17. ↑ Krueger, Nate. "Fourteen Ducks Earn Preseason All-Pac-12 Honors". University of Oregon Athletics. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
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