Commit Impact: Koloi Keli

 

 

If I had said on Saturday that Oregon would see an offensive line commit on Monday, there might have been pandemonium. While the name people keep hoping pops is still out there (and still most likely to pick Oregon), the commit from Koloi Keli is – in itself – an important pickup for the Ducks..

Keli is the 11^th known commitment to the 2026 class and has been recruited as an interior offensive line for Oregon. More specifically, the Ducks think he could be an elite center of the future.

COMMIT IMPACT: 

Though the commitment will not move the initial needle on rankings, this commitment is very big for multiple reasons.

First, Poncho Laloulu will be out of eligibility following the 2026 season. The Ducks have done a really good job of filling spots at guard and tackle, but have had to rely on walk-on Charlie Pickard as the backup center and there is a need to get someone in the middle who can spend a year learning from Laloulu before being asked to take over. This spot is not guaranteed for Keli as the starter – the Ducks will continue to recruit interior offensive linemen and they will work at position versatility as much as possible, but the skill set for center is much different and the staff like Keli a lot in the middle.

POSITION IMPACT:

This is the first offensive line commit in this class but the Ducks are going to add more. Right now it looks like the staff will take at least four offensive linemen in this class.

The names to watch right now are no surprise:

Immanuel Iheanacho is the top tackle on the board for the Ducks and they are all in on getting the big man from Maryland to commit. While I do not expect it this week, it would not be surprising if he moved up his commitment date to July.

Tommy Tofi made a visit the same weekend as Koloi and has the kind of versatility that is going to get him an opportunity on the outside as well as on the inside at guard.

Kelvin Obot out of Idaho is sometimes overlooked which is a shame. He has elite feet and is the kind of offensive tackle that can bookend with Iheanacho. The Ducks are going to be a player with him and I will have more notes on all three tomorrow. 

COMMITMENT THOUGHTS:

I think this commitment from Koloi Keli is one of those quietly good pickups for Oregon. Out of Honolulu (Hawaii) Farrington, Keli has drawn rave reviews from those who’ve watched him play live and from reports coming out of a showcase earlier this year.

At around 6-2, 290 pounds, people consistently talk about how quick and light his feet are — some have even said he had the best footwork at that entire event. What’s even more impressive is his ability to take reps at center, guard, and tackle, and look dominant at all three spots.

He moves laterally with ease, delivers a strong initial punch that can knock defenders back at the line of scrimmage, and shows the natural athleticism to recover if he gets beat off the snap. There is a reason that he has seen his stock soar and a reason for some optimism that the Ducks might have found their center of the future.

Landing a player like Keli, who brings that combination of versatility, power, and athleticism, is a very good addition. He’s exactly the kind of lineman you want anchoring your trenches — tough, mobile, and able to handle whatever you throw at him.