Oregon Ducks Eye Five-Star EDGE Anthony "Tank" Jones Ahead of Commitment
Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning is intensifying efforts to reinforce the 2026 recruiting class with five-star EDGE prospect Anthony "Tank" Jones set to announce his commitment on August 2. The race is tightly contested among Oregon, Alabama, and Texas A&M, with On3 ranking Alabama as the frontrunner—partly due to Jones’s long-standing support for the Crimson Tide, stretching back to the Nick Saban era.
Jones, a dual-sport athlete from Mobile, Alabama, plays for St. Paul’s Episcopal High School, where he excelled last season with 84 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss, and 16 sacks. Despite the Ducks’ distance of over 2,600 miles from Mobile posing a challenge, their recent recruitment successes from Alabama, including five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord, provide some optimism.
While Alabama has established a solid relationship with Jones, Texas A&M has also made significant inroads. Aggies head coach Mike Elko has developed a strong rapport with the recruit during his official visits in College Station. Reports suggest that if Jones delays his decision beyond early August, it may favor Oregon and Texas A&M in securing his commitment.
Oregon’s potential recruitment strategy includes highlighting immediate playing time opportunities, especially since current EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei is expected to enter the NFL Draft by the time Jones arrives at campus. With two EDGEs already committed—four-star Prince Tavizon and three-star Dutch Horsik—landing Jones would elevate Oregon into the top tier of the current On3 recruiting rankings.
A commitment from Jones would mark the Ducks’ fourth five-star recruit for 2026, bolstering their position as they aim for a top-five ranking in the national recruiting landscape.
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