Oregon Offensive Line Coach A'lique Terry Offers Insight Into Iapani Laloulu's Leadership

With a new-look offensive line entering the 2026 college football season, Iapani Laloulu's leadership could prove to be beneficial for the group throughout the year.

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive line coach A'Lique Terry against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Oregon Ducks officially began their first full week of fall camp as fans continue to count down the days to the team’s season opener against the Boise State Broncos on Sept. 5 at Autzen Stadium. 

One of the biggest storylines fans are following throughout fall camp is who will step up on the Ducks' offensive line, which faces major questions entering this season following the departure of Emmanuel Pregnon, Alex Harkey, and Isaiah World. 

Oregon’s Isaiah World, left, takes a picture with coach Dan Lanning before the game against Southern California Nov. 22, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

An efficient offensive line is among the biggest keys to success for any championship contender, and that’s the case with the Ducks, who are in pursuit of their first national championship in program history this season. 

Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry has a proven track record of leading the Ducks' offensive line, and the group has a standard of success. Two newcomers on the Ducks' offensive line, Immanuel Iheanacho and Tommy Tofi, look to follow that standard of success, and so far they're heading in the right direction.

With a new-look offensive line, one of the Ducks' few veteran returners, Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu has proven to be a leader for Oregon's newcomers. Terry revealed Laloulu's leadership qualities following the Ducks' fifth practice of fall camp.

What A’lique Terry Said

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive line coach A'Lique Terry against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Poncho’s Leadership

Oregon center Iapani Laloulu speaks during a media day as the Oregon Ducks arrive on Jan. 7, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia ahead of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

“I think it's a credit to the older guys; the standard has been set. Poncho has got out of his comfort zone. You can hear him vocally at all the practices; you can hear him taking the younger guys under his wing. Obviously he’s had a relationship with Koloi way longer prior to this, but it's cool to see the big brother-little brother relationship he has with him, but he also has it with Manny, he also has it with Tommy, he also has it with Solo, Aiden Lewey, some of the younger guys in our room, and he’s providing that presence.” 

“They know their role could end up being much larger later on down the year as much as they put in it could happen maybe earlier in the year, who knows but they’ve done a tremendous job with the amount we’ve thrown at them on purpose and they’ve done a good job absorbing it and taking it on and not being afraid to ask questions, young guys tend to be afraid to ask questions, they’re not in that stage right now.” 

The Role Immanuel Iheanacho and Tommy Tofi Can Have As Freshmen

July 27, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Immanuel Iheanacho part of the top-ranked recruits flocked to Eugene for the 2024 Oregon Ducks Saturday Night Live ; Mandatory credit: Zachary Neel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“No doubt, I think Poncho is a perfect example of that. Poncho when he first got here he rotated with Steven Jones and later on that year with Marcus Harper and both of those guys had successful careers and speaking to Immanuel and Tommy they’ve come out and hit the ground running and their both like I said earlier in spring their both physically gifted, and Immanuel obviously behind a little bit just because he didn’t get here until later, but you can see the physical specimen they are, they love the game, they’re constantly with each other, they’re constantly trying to get more.” 

“They know their role could end up being much larger later on down the year as much as they put in it could happen maybe earlier in the year, who knows but they’ve done a tremendous job with the amount we’ve thrown at them on purpose and they’ve done a good job absorbing it and taking it on and not being afraid to ask questions, young guys tend to be afraid to ask questions, they’re not in that stage right now.” 

Where He Wants to See Biggest Improvement On Offensive Line

“The biggest improvement obviously would be cohesion; obviously it's going to be a new bunch, so trying to get that cohesiveness, and right now in fall camp, trying to find those guys the right mesh and pairs to be playing with each other. More often than not, all these guys play next to each other at some point over the last few years other than Mikey Bennett.”

Mixing and Matching Offensive Linemen

“There are blind reps in our world as well because you have pod situations, you have half-line situations, you have group situations, so people might only see the team reps and team settings, but there are times where we’re doing things in group settings and individual settings.”

“So those our ways to steal reps with those guys but also training them multi faceted, not just training the guy on the left side training the guy on the right side as well because he might not get his reps in the team for that week or the week after whatever the case may be, but he’s got 15 to 20 of those reps in individual settings in group settings things of that nature. You still do at some point. We’re going to start gluing it up a little bit more.”

Preparation With New Look Offensive Line

“We talk about the standard being the standard. There’s a standard for Oregon offensive linemen that’s been set here long before any of our guys have been here; I’m talking about the history of this place. Offensive line play has always been the foundation of this, so it’s cool for me to be somebody who’s a part of being a GA with the 19 group that room had so many ballers to see the standard they set. There’s been guys to see what that expectation looks like.”

How Tommy Tofi Has Worked His Way Up Depth Chart

Oregon’s Tommy Tofi leaves the field after the Oregon Spring Game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene April 25, 2026 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

“Honestly, it’s the stuff off the field. He’s done a tremendous job with his body still got to get in shape. Obviously, he’s a young kid. He shed a lot of weight, put a lot of muscle on, and he’s gotten a real good understanding of the offense. Where the rest of it is going to start slowly and naturally going to start to come with repetition and film work, but to see his commitment, especially as a young freshman.”

Dave Iuli's Recovery and Ziyare Addison's Development

Oregon wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr., left, celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Dave Iuli as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats on Aug. 30, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

"Dave is cooking. Dave is doing a really good job today, and in one-on-ones and he's doing a really good job. He's done a phenomenal job of getting back in rehab too. I expect Dave to be around when it's time for football to be played, and Ziyare has done a tremendous job in the weight room. Ziyare is probably one of the most explosive players. He's got really elite feet. You ask anybody on defense, he was helping the scout team last year."

"You go against Matayo and Teitum for a whole year, I bet your feet start to speed up. I mean, and he already has elite feet as it is. So to see him calm down, to see him trust his athleticism, it's been really cool to see the jump he's made since spring as well because he's a physical player."

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