Oregon Ducks' Iapani Laloulu: Top Returning Lineman In College Football?

When it comes to reliable returning players on the Oregon Ducks, junior center Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu typically comes to mind. The only remaining consistent starter of the 2024 Joe Moore Award finalist offensive line corps is ready for his second year regularly calling snaps for the Ducks, and is getting recognition before Oregon opens up its' next season.

According to a ranked list counting down the best returning players by position for the 2025 season from Pro Football Focus reporter Max Chadwick, Laloulu was placed as the No. 3 best returning interior offensive lineman in the country.

Topping the list at No. 1 was Florida Gator's redshirt senior center Jake Slaughter and at No. 2 was Texas A&M right guard Ar'maj Reed-Adams.

Oregon offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu prepares to snap the ball as the Oregon Ducks host the Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Stadium Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Fun fact: Chadwick mentions a former Oregon Duck offensive line icon, Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson, when reasoning why Slaughter should top the list.

"Slaughter’s 85.8 PFF overall grade since 2023 trails only Jackson Powers-Johnson among Power Four centers. He moves very well at 6-foot-4 and 308 pounds, allowing him to dominate in a zone blocking scheme" Chadwick wrote.

It's also worthy of note that earlier this month, Laloulu was also pinned as the No. 1 returning interior offensive lineman for the Big Ten Conference, which makes sense as Laloulu ended the 2024 campaign with a nomination for the Rimington Trophy watch list and the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list as well as an All-Big Ten honorable mention.

Oregon offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu works out during practice with the Oregon Ducks Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Laloulu will hold a lot on his shoulders entering the 2025 season, as his entire offensive line corps (also dubbed "The Law Firm" by Laloulu) is revamped with transfers Emmanuel Pregnon of USC, Isasiah World of Nevada, and Alex Harkey of Texas State stepping up to take spots left by departing Ducks Josh Conerly Jr., Ajani Cornelius, Marcus Harper II, and Nishad Strother.

"To see the difference that Poncho is, like there's a confidence in his game that I think we've all known he was going to be a really good player, but to see him now match that maturity and match that confidence in his game because he knows he's a really good player," said Ducks offensive line coach A'lique Terry to reporters after a spring practice. "I think our whole team is feeling it. He's a clear leader. He helps us in every single aspect, as far as communication. You can see the player he's grown into."

Sep 28, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning talks to Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu (72) during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

As far as Laloulu's resume, he leads the Ducks with a team high of 970 offensive snaps in 2024. 854 of those reps were at his regular position of center with 110 at right guard. During those 498 pass-blocking opportunities, Laloulu allowed zero sacks and just ten total pressures. According to Pro Football Focus, Laloulu exited the 2024 season with a 72.6 offensive grade, 71.1 run-blocking grade, and a 80.6 pass-blocking grade.

For Laloulu, who's primed for a career-best season, the expectations have never been higher, including those of coach Dan Lanning.

“There’s been some standards that have been established with that group,” Lanning said in an interview with ESPN's Greg McElroy. “They expect to have a thousand-yard rusher. They expect to have a quarterback that throws for a lot of yards and be in contention for Heisman. They take a lot of pride in that.”