— Good arm length with heavy hands to provide staggering and stopping power on contact

— Possesses good mass and solid play strength to cover and wall first-level defenders on angle drives, downs and pick-and-rolls

— Gradually improved his hand usage in pass protection, using good circling technique to widen corners and narrow down high edge rushes

— Uses an effective double-under technique with good stopping power to create lift when moving to its anchor against a bull charge

— Once he gets defenders on his heels, he has the strength and killer instinct to finish them off with the whole body

— His upright style of play leaves him high, weak and often bogged down by defenders

— Mediocre lateral speed and steering skills cause him to be slow to shift his weight and stay out of the way of counters

— Per unranked member from the class of 2020 247Sports

— He started his career at Rhode Island and spent two seasons at right tackle before transferring to Oregon in 2023.

– 2022: First Team All-Conference Colonial Athletic Association

Ajani Cornelius started at right tackle for four years, two seasons at Rhode Island and the last two seasons in Oregon’s 52-48 run-pass split, multi-run scheme. Cornelius has a solidly built build with good arm length, solid playing power and decent athletic ability.

Cornelius excels in the running game, using his wide frame and heavy hands to disguise defenders on angled blocks and shake up defensive tackles on double teams. He has very good grip strength and leg movement that allows him to move supporters on their heels and away from the ball once they are locked in. Cornelius is an opportunistic finisher who has the strength to outrun defenders and finish when he gains momentum in the advance phase of the block. He has an upright playing style that can get him bogged down, causing him to lose his strength and stoop; Once assembled with a mid-level agility and recovery skills, this could lead to him being cleared.

Cornelius has a solid, solid presence in pass protection and excels when he gets runners across and plays to the middle of his frame. The double-under technique has solid footing when landed with proper timing and placement. He has shown significant improvement in protecting the corner, thanks to an effective circle-penetrating technique to contain outside attacks on the high side. His physical and aggressive approach will leave him flat when his punch doesn’t land, and his below-average range and body control will create short corners and shaky sustain skills at the top of the point guard’s drop.

Overall, Cornelius has enough size, raw power and developing skills to earn the backup right tackle role as a pass protector and eventually become a quality starter under his rookie contract.

LEVEL: 6.8 (Potential Role Player — Round 4)

PRO COMPARISON: Cedric Ogbuehi

Possible practice numbers, measurable data (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 stats will be added at a later date.