Iapani Laloulu, nation's No. 7 guard, commits to Oregon; Recruiting class jumps Miami to reach No. 10 nationally

Farrington High School (Hawaii) four-star offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu knew he had a decision to make.

The 6-foot-2, 357-pound interior lineman, the nation's No. 7 guard and an Under Armour All-American selection, was down to a final two of Arizona and Oregon last month and planned to decide soon.

That decision finally came Monday, as Laloulu announced his commitment to Oregon, joining his brother, sophomore Faaope Laloulu, in Eugene  

Laloulu, who goes by "Poncho." visited Oregon for the game against Stanford and came away impressed by what the Ducks had to offer.

"Oregon is very special," he said. "It's a very special place. I already love the atmosphere, I love the fans and I love the way the community will literally go beyond the world for the football team." 

That visit put the Laloulu brothers' dream of playing college football together within reach.

"It would be a dream-come-true, you know," Laloulu said following his trip. "My brother said whatever decision I make he will support me, but for my parents it would be a dream-come-true for me and them, because they would always love to see us brothers stick together and go to college." 

Turns out, they will do exactly that. 

Laloulu is the second Oregon commitment of the day, joining class of 2024 North Medford star A.J. Pugliano, the nation's No. 5 tight end. 

As for Oregon's 2023 class, the group jumps from No. 12 to No. 10 nationally with its latest addition, leapfrogging Miami and Tennessee in the process. 

Junior season highlights