Iapani Laloulu Feels Honored, Not Pressured to Follow Jackson Powers-Johnson
If you asked most young offensive linemen in college football, following in the footsteps of a Rimington Trophy winner would be intimidating. But that’s not the case for Iapani ‘Poncho’ Laloulu. In fact, it’s far from it.
The sophomore earned his first college start at center in Oregon’s 45-6 win over the Liberty Flames in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, a game that also signified a passing of the torch.
With each snap of the ball he stepped into the legacy that Jackson Powers-Johnson added to before him. A legacy of great center play at Oregon.
The Honolulu, Hawaii native is attacking his new role in Oregon’s offense with unwavering confidence and embracing the challenges he encounters along the way.
“It’s an honor,” Laloulu said following Oregon’s Thursday practice in Eugene. “It’s a privilege as well too. To be able to step in a position where JPJ had left a legacy of center. With him winning a Rimington, that put a lot of target on my back knowing that Oregon centers, we know what we supposed to do.”
What may be shocking about the whole situation is that Laloulu never anticipated he’d end up playing center at the college level.
“I came here, I thought I was going to play guard,” he said. “In Hawaii I was probably one of the big guys over there, so I didn’t really think I was gonna be playing center. When I was being recruited I was recruited to be playing guard and when I came last year, seeing how it was, they needed some centers. Coach Terry kind of just threw me in. Okay, I’m gonna be playing center now.”
The 6-foot-2, 325-pound lineman spent most of his first season playing guard. Now that he’s kicked inside to center, he’s brought some lessons with him to his new spot.
“What I really took from being a guard is being violent. Because that’s my competitive game.”
Lalolu’s new position may be the perfect blend of what he likes to do, since he’s now the heartbeat of Will Stein’s offense.
“I like to be violent, precise. Now that I’m a center, now I gotta make sure I get the snap off.”
A big part of his growth to this point in the offseason has been building his confidence. That confidence is something that’s grown since he’s gradually taken on a larger role and learned from the veterans in the room.
“I feel really confident,” Laloulu said. “Learning from all the older guys like JPJ, Steve (Jones) and all those older guys that was playing O-line last year. Sitting in the film room. I’ve gained so much confidence.
“Especially with Coach Terry letting me be the role of that—being that head center and also when he gave me that job to be the center in the Fiesta Bowl. Being confident in all of that is probably one of the main things.”
Offensive line coach A’lique Terry has been pleased with Laloulu’s growth.
With each practice he’s getting closer to maximizing the potential the staff saw in him as a recruit and he’s trending up in a big way as the Ducks near their spring game on April 27.
“Poncho’s been looking excellent,” Terry said. “For him to be able now to get comfortable, you can see the confidence that he’s been playing with now. This is what we’ve been waiting for. He has the physical attributes, it’s just now getting comfortable with snapping like he has and that’s what it’s been all spring.”
For Oregon’s offense to take another step forward the Ducks will need Laloulu to be consistent, smart and strong among other things. So far he’s doing all he can to check those boxes in the spring.
