The Oregon Ducks start the 2024 season Aug. 31 at home against Idaho. The Oregonian/OregonLive will count down the days with mini-profiles of prominent former and current Ducks whose jersey numbers correspond with the days remaining until the opening kickoff.

Today, No.65: Offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius.

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Ajani Cornelius

Bio: Out of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, Cornelius helped lead his high school team to back-to-back state and league championships. Cornelius was named the 2019 Catholic High School Football League offensive lineman of the year in his senior season. He began his college career at the University of Rhode Island, where he started 22 games and, in 2022, was named first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association.

Key achievements: In 2023 at Oregon, Cornelius started all 14 games for the Ducks and earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors. He was a big part of an offensive line that allowed just five sacks, the fewest in the nation, while helping quarterback Bo Nix become a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Heading into his senior season, Cornelius is again expected to be an All-Pac-12 force.

PRIOR COUNTDOWN POSTS

No. 66: Defensive lineman Taylor Hart.

No. 67: Offensive lineman Jack Patera.

No. 68: Offensive lineman Shane Lemieux.

No. 69: Offensive lineman Bo Thran.

No. 70: Fullback Bob Sanders.

No. 71: Offensive linemen Mark Lewis and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu.

No. 72: Offensive lineman Adam Snyder.

No. 73: Offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby.

No. 74: Offensive linemen Kyle Long and Tom Drougas.

No. 75: Offensive tackle Jake Fisher.

No. 76: Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.

No. 77: Offensive lineman Carson York.

No. 78: Offensive linemen Alex Forsyth and Cameron Hunt.

No. 79: Mark Asper, offensive line

No. 80: Wide receivers Lavasier Tuinei, Greg Moser and Ray Palm

No. 81: Wide receiver Bob Newland

No. 82: Wide receiver Lew Barnes and tight end Blake Spence

No. 83: Tight end Ed Dickson and wide receiver Patrick Johnson

No. 84: Tight end Justin Peelle, linebacker Anthony Trucks, and Cam McCormick

No. 85: Pharaoh Brown, Tim Day and Matt Evensen.

No. 86: Wide receiver Paul Burleson.

No. 87: Wide receiver Greg Specht

No. 88: Wide receiver Dwayne Stanford and defensive lineman Brandon Bair

No. 89: This team ended a 25-year drought

No. 90: Tight end Josh Wilcox and defensive lineman Drayton Carlberg