With spring practice over, The Oregonian/OregonLive is reviewing Oregon’s depth chart position by position. We continue the 25-part series by looking at the right tackles.
EUGENE — One of several starters back on Oregon’s offensive line, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu is a virtual lock to remain the starter at right tackle.
Aumavae-Laulu started 10 games on the right edge of the line last season, including the final nine, and six the year before.
There will be a shake up behind him as Jaylan Jeffers transferring to UCLA opened a spot on the two-deep.
Faaope Laloulu, Michael Wooten, Dawson Jaramillo and potentially Steven Jones could all see time at right tackle as well.
Post-spring depth chart
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu: 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, sixth-year redshirt-senior
Faaope Laloulu: 6-foot-6, 360 pounds, third-year sophomore
Michael Wooten: 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, freshman
Starter
Aumavae-Laulu declared he’d remain in the NFL Draft only to reverse course, which was one of the first major personnel wins for Dan Lanning and Adrian Klemm.
Having four other starters returning was a factor in Aumavae-Laulu’s decision as well.
“I feel confident with them,” he said. “They’re like my brothers. That’s why I wanted to come back as well too.”
Aumavae-Laulu has ample game experience, having played nearly 700 snaps last season, and was dominant in the run game at times.
Backup
Laloulu saw very limited action as a redshirt-freshman but will contend for a spot on the two-deep this fall. Given his less than 20 snaps last season it’s hard to make definitive assessments and Laloulu was beaten several times by DJ Johnson during the spring game, but that’s a much more experienced defender going against a still developing tackle.
Next wave
Jaramillo is the backup left tackle on paper and no worse than the No. 4 tackle exiting spring no matter the circumstance. He played over 300 snaps last season and has put himself in position to compete for more reps this season.
Michael Wooten arrived during spring break but was limited due to injury. He’s penciled in at tackle but with three offensive linemen arriving in the summer that could change.
Jones is projected to start at left tackle, though he spent the spring game at right guard, and he opened last season at right tackle.
Walk-ons Bailey Jaramillo and Cole Young also saw time at right tackle during the spring game.
Summer arrivals
Josh Conerly Jr. is a lock to be at tackle, it’s a matter of which side and left appears more likely in the long-term.
Dave Iuli is most likely going to be at an interior position.
Kawika Rogers could be at tackle as well, which would further the case to move Wooten to a guard spot.
Quotable
“I see big things with this coaching staff.” - Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
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