Sione Laulea Discusses Oregon's Competition at Cornerback in Spring Football
Oregon’s defense was one of the best in the country last season and now Tosh Lupoi, Chris Hampton and Rashad Wadood are tasked with replacing three starting cornerbacks. Former junior college standout Sione Laulea is one of the players that’s right in the mix of a heated cornerback competition in spring football.
He met with reporters in Eugene following Thursday’s practice to share his insight on what that battle has been like and how he’s progressing as he enters his second season with the Ducks.
Below are some of his top quotes.
On why he chose Oregon
Laulea: “The biggest fit for me was just development. I used two years so with two years left of eligibility I feel like I had to make the most out of my two years. So the place that was gonna develop me the most and where I fit most in the scheme. I feel like this was the place, especially with the coaching staff. With Tosh being such an aggressive caller and Hamp as a secondary coach.”
On competition at cornerback in the spring, talent around him
Laulea: “I feel like it’s been great. As you guys know there’s not a lot of experience in our backend, specifically the corner room. But there’s some dogs either way whether we touched the field or not, you can see it clearly in practice that everyone’s making plays on the ball and it’s pretty much neck-and-neck. We’re making each other better each and every day.”
On if he’s thought about JUCO waiver granting players additional eligibility
Laulea: “I try my best not to look down the road. I’m kind of just focused on what’s happening now and making steps forward day to day.”
On his opportunities last season, interception vs. Illinois and building his confidence
Laulea: “I feel like that was just getting my feet wet in the pool. Obviously it was late in the game, but that as a junior college player that was my first time in an environment like that. I kind of shook out the little butterflies and it was good, specifically just because of the fact that competition is competition in the Big Ten. Either way I’m gonna play someone good no matter what quarter it is. I feel like that helped me get ready and settle. So it’s gonna be no surprise come time next season.”
On facing Dakorien Moore, Cooper Perry
Laulea: “Both those boys are very electric. I feel like they’re near plug-and-play players. Whether they’re 17, 18, straight out of high school, I feel like they’ve stepped up to the plate immediately. With Dakorien he’s electric. You get flashes of Tez in him. He’s willing to get in and out of his breaks immediately. For Cooper, ball’s in the air he comes down with it for the most part. He’s willing to compete in everything he does. Whether it’s special teams drills, being here on time—he’s here earlier than most just in general. I feel like those two guys are ahead of the curve for sure.”
On what he’s seen from Oregon’s quarterbacks
Laulea: “I feel like they take a good, strong charge in the game. They’re connecting with their offense. They hold people together, especially when practice gets hard. Our days sometimes can be rough. Dante (Moore) in that certain aspect tends to bring everybody together. He’ll sometimes stop a period and talk to the offense and get them right and kind of give things a reset. For Austin (Novosad), I feel like he’s quieter but he’s for sure a leader in his actions. I feel like that has picked up. Same with Luke (Moga).”
