Oregon offensive lineman Steven Jones announces he will return for sixth college season
Oregon received a major boost to its 2023 Pac-12 title hopes Tuesday evening.
Steven Jones, a versatile offensive lineman who has started 14 career games for the Ducks, announced on Instagram late Tuesday that he will return for his sixth college season next fall.
“First off, I would like to say thank you Duck fans for all the love and support I have received since coming to Oregon,” Jones said. “Thank you to all my family and friends who continue to support me throughout my career here at Oregon. I would like to thank my mother and father for being by my side every step of the way. Without your guidance and support, I would not be in the position that I am in today, so thank you.
“Due to injury, my season did not turn out like how I wanted. With that being said, I am excited to return to Oregon for my final season of eligibility and will continue to uphold and grow an elite culture Dan Lanning and his staff has built.”
Jones’s return is significant for an Oregon squad that is set to lose four of its starting offensive lineman.
T.J. Bass, Ryan Walk, Alex Forsyth, and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu are all set to depart after the season.
Jones was hindered by injuries this season. He started the first two games of the year for the Ducks but was sidelined with a sprained left foot until Oregon’s Nov. 19 showdown with Utah in Eugene. He started at right guard and played the majority of the snaps during Oregon’s regular-season finale at Oregon State.
“It was fun to see him get back on the field,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said of Jones after the Utah game. “He’s been coaching so hard on the sideline these last few games. I know it was really important for him to get back out there and help his team and he was able to help us. I know he had a lot of fun. I know he’s looking at that film saying, ‘OK, what can I do better?’ Which is good, that’s what we want him to do. But it was nice seeing him out there.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones has played 211 snaps in 2022. Last season, he played in all 14 games and played 781 snaps — the third-most on the team.
In addition to Jones, Oregon is also set to return highly-touted freshman Josh Conerly Jr., third-year sophomore Marchus Harper II, and true sophomore Jackson Powers-Johnson — all of whom played significant roles for the Ducks this season.
The Ducks have also added former Rhode Island offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius and former Texas offensive lineman Junior Angilau via the transfer portal.
