Iapani Laloulu had NFL Draft stock after 2025. He chose to come back to Oregon. That decision might be the most important roster move of the entire offseason. Oregon lost three starting offensive linemen (Emmanuel Pregnon, Alex Harkey, Isaiah World) to the NFL Draft. The offensive line is the biggest question mark on the 2026 roster. Laloulu is the answer at center, the most important position on the line. At 6-2, 329 pounds, he is the veteran anchor, the line caller, and the player Dante Moore trusts to protect his blind side. Without Laloulu, Oregon's line would be starting from scratch. With him, the rebuild has a foundation.
Week 1 vs Boise State, Sept 5, 2026
Played all 64 offensive snaps at center. Linemen do not show up in a box score; the snap count is the fact.
Chose Oregon over the NFL. The only reason the offensive line rebuild is not a five-alarm fire.
thequackreport.com
The Impact
Oregon's offensive line lost three of five starters to the NFL Draft. That is a gutting. The left tackle, left guard, and right tackle are all gone. The players who took those spots in the opener (Fox Crader at right tackle, Douglas Utu and Trent Ferguson splitting left guard) are talented but still new to it as starters. Laloulu is the experienced center who holds it all together. He makes the line calls. He identifies the blitz. He sets the protection. A great center makes everyone around him better, and Laloulu is a great center. Drew Mehringer's offense needs time for Dante Moore to throw. Laloulu is the reason that time exists.
NFL Draft Stock
Laloulu is a projected Day 2 or Day 3 NFL Draft pick. Centers are undervalued in draft position but essential to NFL offenses. A dominant senior season protecting a Heisman-candidate quarterback in the Big Ten will only help his stock. The tape from the Ohio State game on November 7 could be the most important film of his career.
The OL Rebuild
The offensive line lost three starters to the NFL: Emmanuel Pregnon (LG), Isaiah World (LT), and Alex Harkey (RT). Laloulu is the settled center, and Dave Iuli is returning guard experience with availability to monitor. The left tackle, left guard, and right tackle spots are all open competitions between Trent Ferguson (6-7, 320, R-Sophomore), Fox Crader (6-6, 315, R-Sophomore, from Vancouver, WA), and Kawika Rogers (6-5, 320, R-Senior). Five-star freshman Immanuel Iheanacho arrives in summer. The line will be young on the edges and experienced in the middle. Laloulu at center holds it all together.
Watch List for 2026
1
Line calls: watch Laloulu point and communicate before the snap. That is the center's most important job.
2
Chemistry with Iuli: the center-guard combo is the engine. Watch how they work together on double teams.
3
Pass protection: can Laloulu handle Big Ten nose tackles one-on-one? November will test this.
4
The new tackles: watch who lines up at LT and RT with the first team. Laloulu's job is to make them better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laloulu had NFL Draft stock after 2025 but chose to return for his senior season. With three OL starters departing, his experience and leadership are essential to the 2026 offensive line rebuild.
Laloulu is the center and the one settled anchor. Dave Iuli is returning guard experience, but his early-camp availability needs tracking. Left tackle, left guard, and right tackle are open competitions between Trent Ferguson, Fox Crader, Kawika Rogers, Gernorris Wilson, Michael Bennett III, and eventually five-star Immanuel Iheanacho.
Sources: GoDucks.com, 247Sports, ESPN (2025-2026). This page covers on-field performance and publicly available recruiting data only.