Ever since he arrived in Eugene as a true freshman in 2023, Iapani "Poncho" Laoulu has made his mark with the Oregon Ducks. Though he started only the final game of his debut season, he appeared in all 14 games and was named a 247Sports True Freshman All-American while playing in 413 snaps across right guard, left guard and center.
His sophomore season was when he began to blossom, starting all 14 games at the pivot and being named an All-Big Ten honorable mention and being added to the Rimington Trophy watch list, the most prestigious award for an interior offensive lineman. It's safe to say he did his job in replacing the departed Jackson Powers-Johnson at center, who was the Rimington Trophy winner in 2023 before being selected in the second
round by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Laloulu, leading a group of three transfers in 2025, stepped into a leadership role and flourished, earning spots on the AP All-American third team and All-Big Ten second team. He was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy.
All told, the Honolulu, Hawaii, native has put together a very decorated resume during his time as a Duck — also establishing himself as a bona-fide NFL draft prospect come the 2027 draft.
The Athletic released their ranking of the top interior offensive linemen, considered to be guards and centers, with Laloulu coming in at No. 6 senior IOL. He was behind Minnesota's Greg Johnson, Indiana's Carter Smith, Ohio State's Luke Montgomery and USC's Alani Noa. All of whom play in the Big Ten against competition that is considered to be the best of the best.
Laloulu's career at Oregon has more than prepared him for the next level, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he stepped in as an NFL team's starting center early in his career and commanded the spot for years on end.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon's Iapani Laloulu ranked 6th among draft-eligible IOL in 2027
