Emptying the notebook: Which players generated buzz during Oregon’s third week of fall camp?

Oregon’s third week of fall camp is in the books.

With the Sept. 2 season-opener less than two weeks away, Dan Lanning’s squad is entering a crucial point of the preseason. The Ducks held their second scrimmage over the weekend, and their two-deep will now begin to take shape.

“I think we’ll have a better idea (of the two-deep) coming out of today,” Lanning said after Saturday’s scrimmage.

As fall camp begins to wind down, here are three more players who are generating buzz in Eugene.

OL Iapani Laloulu

Freshman offensive linemen Iapani Laloulu‘s name popped up a ton this week as he continues to have a very good first fall camp with the Ducks.

A 4-star signee who was the No. 352 overall prospect in the 2023 class, Laloulu — who teammates fondly refer to as “Poncho” — has been repping at center and guard. He’s impressed teammates with his physicality early in his Oregon career.

“He’s got some of the heaviest hands I’ve ever seen in my life, literally,” offensive line coach A’lique Terry said. “

It’s going to be difficult for any underclassmen to crack the two-deep along Oregon’s interior offensive line, as there are multiple veterans battling for starting jobs at all three spots. But by all accounts, Laloulu has been among the Ducks’ most impressive freshmen.

What they’re saying

“He’s just nasty, man. His punch — he’s got a nasty punch. He’s like a sponge, he just soaks it all up. That’s the dude.” — Oregon offensive lineman Junior Angilau.

“Poncho is athletic, powerful, has quick feet, good balance. He’s got everything you want for a powerful lineman, and to do so as a freshman and to have the impact he’s having, that’s rare.” — Oregon offensive line coach A’Lique Terry.

WR Jurrion Dickey

Few prospects have generated as much excitement among Oregon fans in recent years than receiver Jurrion Dickey.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound wideout is the second-highest rated receiver to ever sign with the Ducks. While he is the gem of Oregon’s 2023 class, expectations have been somewhat tempered as Dickey continues to work his way back after suffering an injury last fall.

According to teammates and coaches, though, there have been glimpses of what made him such a highly-touted prospect.

What they’re saying

“When we first got her during fall workouts, we had the player-run practices where no coaches could be out here and (Dickey) was out there making one-handed catches, making plays. I was like, ‘Okay, this kid can play.’ Watching him, he’s a raw talent. He already has it — all you have to do is polish it up and learn the playbook and be detailed. The sky is the limit for him.” — Oregon receiver Gary Bryant Jr.

“I think he’s doing a good job in meetings; he’s asking good questions, he’s taking good notes. Obviously, making the transition from high school to college, he’s just learning how to practice. But he’s doing good, he’s made plays and he’s running around, playing fast.” — Oregon receivers coach Junior Adams.

NT Popo Aumavae

Now that Popo Aumavae is fully healthy, he is beginning to remind those within the Oregon program just how dynamic he was in 2021.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 315 pounds, Aumavae has always been an elite pass-rushing nose tackle. It sounds as though he has continued to improve in that aspect this fall.

What they’re saying

“Anytime you ask me a question regarding a large human who can move fast and strike with violence and rush the passer, it’s going to excite us. That’s what Popo does. What I respect about Popo is what he’s been doing off the field with body preservation, the way he’s attacking his rehab and his diet. When you look at his weight, sometimes it’s surprising what he is and then seeing him move out there.

“I’m really excited about it and of how he’s attacking every day. Now with him, it’s about getting the rust off, getting in tune schematically, and then of course improving his fundamentals and technique.” — Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi

“He’s a special creature. To be able to move the way he does at his size, it’s something I’ve never seen before.” — Oregon offensive lineman Nishad Strother.

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