Why Oklahoma DL Jonah Laulu Feels Change to Play on the Interior is a 'Natural' Fit
NORMAN — Jonah Laulu’s second year in Norman is shaping up to look a bit different.
Last year, the Hawaii transfer patrolled the edge of the Sooner defense, totaling 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks as a rotation piece.
This spring, Laulu is sliding inside.
Oklahoma defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates both agreed the move could be good for Laulu based on how he performs in practice.
“We kind of talked about it last season when we were in fall camp,” Laulu said on Monday. “… They said when I'm inside or doing inside movements, I look a little bit more comfortable than when I'm on the edge. They said 'Next year we could try putting you inside.' I agreed with them. I could see what they were talking about. I'm just trying to do what I can to help better this team.”
Mixing it up on the interior isn’t totally foreign to Laulu.
At Hawaii, Laulu was deployed at the heart of the defensive line.
There are nuances to Brent Venables’ defense and how Bates wants Laulu to play, but Laulu said he doesn’t feel like he’s having to learn a whole new skillset this spring.
“Back in Hawaii… I guess I had a natural knack for it,” he said. “Being inside, I guess I'm naturally pretty fit for it. I just need to work on the little things and my technique and everything.”
Bates was ecstatic about the move, as he’s having to replace Jalen Redmond and Jeffery Johnson from last year’s crop of defensive tackles.
“He is just a handful to deal with, blocking him,” Bates said. “He’s so athletic and he’s just learning more and more every day. So, you guys, that’s the one to watch. I think he has the ability to do something special for us this year.”
Coming from the edge, Bates knows what Laulu can bring to the table as a pass rusher.
Ahead of the 2023 campaign, Bates is working to improve Laulu’s play against the run to develop him into an every down option as opposed to a situational piece.
“(He’s) just continuing to grow and be humble and work in the run game, getting used to those double teams,” Bates said. “It’s a little bit different on that inside when you’re dealing with combo blocks and double teams. You’ve got play with low pads and you’ve got to fight pressure. And you’ve got to understand where that’s coming from. And sometimes you get pre-snap tips on that.
“He’s got to learn those pre-snap tips, but when it’s third and long, he can get off the ball and he can rush the passer. And that’s what you want.”
While Laulu isn’t a total stranger to taking on double teams, he did acknowledge that double teams are a different animal at the heart of the defensive line than when he is tearing in off the edge.
“At defensive end, you're taking on double teams,” said Laulu, “but it's usually with like a tight end or something, so it's not as hard. But when you're inside, you're taking on true linemen like guards and tackles. That's a big thing I need to work on is my technique with that. Keeping hands and feet and everything.”
The work to fully make the transition doesn’t stop when the last whistle blows at practice.
Laulu’s listed playing weight last season was 260 pounds.
As soon as he reported for winter workouts, he began working with OU strength coach Jerry Schmidt to pack on weight.
Currently, Laulu is listed on Oklahoma’s online roster at 277 pounds, but he hopes to continue to add to his frame throughout the summer leading into fall camp.
Jonah Laulu finished last year with 20 total tackles and 1.5 sacks for Oklahoma at defensive end
Bryan Terry / USA TODAY Sports
“(Schmidt’s) been a great help to me, gaining weight and making sure it's the right weight,” Laulu said. “It's one thing to gain a lot of weight. But it's got to be good weight, not just eating whatever and getting too top-heavy to where I can't move as much as I should be able to.
“… I'm trying to keep gaining this offseason. By the season time, hopefully I'll be 290 or 290-plus.”
If Laulu can continue to hone his technique, there will be an opportunity for him to carve out a role.
Isaiah Coe and Jordan Kelley return production at defensive tackle, but the Sooners are having to break in a pair of transfers in Jacob Lacey and Davon Sears.
Rising sophomore Gracen Halton also got some run toward the end of last year, but the rotation on the interior is malleable headed into 2023.
More than happy to help the team by sliding inside, Laulu is just looking to make the most of his final year of college football.
“He's been natural at some things in there,” Bates said. “… I have cutups just for him to come in and watch and he wears them out.
“So he's only going to (improve) as long as he keeps that work ethic. That's what I anticipate happening.”
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