Sione Laulea, Nation's No. 1 JUCO Prospect, Has Eye-Opening Oregon Official Visit
There are ebbs and flows in recruiting. A team can trend for a recruit one day and then lose momentum the next.
Cornerback has been an interesting position to track on the recruiting trail for Oregon as they look for someone to pair with Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy All-American Ify Obidegwu.
College of San Mateo cornerback Sione Laulea III, the top junior college prospect in the country, has become a priority for the Ducks. He took his final official visit to Oregon last weekend and broke down the latest in his recruitment with Ducks Digest.
Heading into the Oregon trip, the Ducks had some ground to make up with the 6-foot-4, 185-pound corner, who has also taken official visits to Utah, Penn State, USC and Miami.
"Oregon was cool. I didn't really have high expectations for them really." Laulea said. "I just always kind of see Oregon as the flashy school with all the jerseys and whatnot."
He was quick to learn that it's not all glitz and glamour in Eugene.
"But as soon as I got to put my own two feet on the campus, I got to see the true development and true love behind the coaching staff. Coach Tosh Lupoi, he was well-invested in in my time being there. He almost didn't leave my side. Which meant a lot to me.
Head Coach Dan Lanning also took a personal interest in the trip and made his best pitch to the coveted defensive back.
"Along with Coach Lanning. (I) Had several great conversations with him throughout the two, three days that I was there.," he said. "And I could see that their cornerback room looks nice and that they know what they're doing and they're all similar to my size. I'm definitely a type of player they like to coach."
Oregon has been building a pipeline to the College of San Mateo and would love for Laulea to follow in the footsteps of former Ducks George Moore and Bennett Williams.
Before that can happen, the coaching staff will have to hold off charges from other teams like USC, who made a strong impression.
"I have USC high up right now. I really enjoyed myself there. Was very close to home, but not only that, close in distance and close in similarities. The culture was also very similar to my program here in San Mateo. The culture seemed to be well intertwined with my development and seeing me succeed at the next level and prepping me basically. I enjoyed myself there for sure."
Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes got their chance to host him on two trips in Coral Gables and they're selling him on turning the program around after a 5-7 season.
"Miami was also really cool. I went out there unofficially in March and I was glad I got to go a second time," Laulea said. "I got to see their development and how much they've progressed. I could see that Mario is making great progress with the program--doing his best to flip it. That would also be something nice to be a part of, so they definitely have my eyes on them."
James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are also contenders in his recruitment as they project to be a mainstay among top teams in the Big Ten.
"Penn State was a ways a away but it was for sure worth the while. All that traveling I did--as soon as I got there I was welcomed by the whole coaching staff and throughout the whole trip I felt the whole the coaching staff's energy.
"It felt like home, but far away. Their defense was similar to mine. They love playing man press. And they recently just drafted a corner with the same frame as me, Joey Porter to the Steelers, which also opens my eyes towards them. Overall they know what they're doing. They have a great pedigree. They're a winning program."
Utah is also in the mix on the heels of back-to-back conference titles and he had a special trip in Salt Lake City.
"Utah was my first official visit and not only that they were the only visit where I was hosted just by myself and I had the full attention of every coach on the staff. Just me and me only and that was special to me. They took good care of me. But I enjoyed it. They play great defense. They're known for the defense. They're back to Pac-12 champions, which shows that they're consistent and have a great foundation."
Laulea is starting to mull over a decision and spoke about when a commitment could come.
"It's not completely set yet. I'm thinking towards August for my birthday, which is in October."
The top junior college prospect is prioritizing one thing above all in his decision.
"Development. I could personally see myself in the NFL. I just want to go where I'm gonna be developed the best and get to that point. (An) Opportunity to earn my degree, opportunity to step on the field and do what I can and just an overall opportunity to help build a program whether it's as a person, as an athlete or as a student."
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