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Iapani 'Poncho' Laloulu Announces Return to Oregon for Senior Season

Max Torres Author Profileby: Max Torres12/23/25mtorressports

Roster retention has been a major key to success for Dan Lanning in his four years at Oregon and the Ducks are hanging on to a key piece of their offense. Starting center Iapani ‘Poncho’ Laloulu has announced that he will return to Eugene for his senior season in 2026.

“After a lot of prayer and talks with my family I would like to say that I will be returning back to EUGENE for my last season,” Laloulu wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday afternoon.

As the only returning starter from last year’s offensive line, the 6-foot-2, 329-pound lineman was a stabilizing force in the trenches for A’lique Terry and the Law Firm this year. 2025 was his second season as Oregon’s full-time starter at center after getting his feet wet playing guard as a true freshman in 2023.

Laloulu was one of three finalists for the Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the best center in college football. He also earned third-team Associated Press All-American honors and helped lead an Oregon offensive line that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award for the third straight year.

The man in the middle of the offensive line is the second Oregon starter to announce a return to Eugene for next season after defensive lineman Bear Alexander decided he wanted to suit up for one last ride with the Ducks.

Laloulu signed with the Ducks as a 4-star offensive lineman from Honolulu (HI) Farrington High School and was an Under Armour All-American in the 2023 recruiting class.

His decision to return for one more season could be a positive sign as Oregon awaits the NFL decision of quarterback Dante Moore.

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