When you talk about cornerstone recruits in a college football class, Anthony "Tank" Jones is exactly the kind of player you’re referring to. Oregon had to fend off some serious national competition to keep his commitment locked in, and the fact that they did-especially with some coaching uncertainty swirling-says a lot about the program’s staying power under Dan Lanning.
Jones, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound edge rusher from Birmingham, Alabama, is the kind of athlete who jumps off the tape. He’s not just a pass rusher-he’s a full-blown problem for offenses.
Whether he’s crashing the pocket or sealing the edge against the run, Jones brings a level of physicality and anticipation that’s rare at the high school level. His junior-year stat line-122 tackles and 16 sacks-tells part of the story.
The rest? That comes from watching him fly around the field with a motor that just doesn’t quit.
He committed to Oregon back on July 31, just before two-a-days at St. Paul’s Episcopal School, where he’s more than just a football player.
He’s a state champion in discus, he plays basketball, and he even took some snaps at running back. That kind of versatility is no accident-it’s a reflection of how dynamic he is as an athlete.
And yet, even with his pledge in place, the Ducks had to hold their breath. Jones took official visits throughout the fall to Auburn, Miami, and Texas A&M.
And just a day before he sent in his signed paperwork, reports surfaced that Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi was nearing a deal to become the next head coach at Cal. That’s the kind of late-breaking news that can shake up a commitment, especially for a blue-chip defender who built a strong relationship with the DC.
But Jones didn’t flinch. He put pen to paper early on Day 1 of the Early Signing Period, giving Oregon a huge win in a cycle that’s already been strong. It’s a credit to the culture Lanning and his staff have built-a program-first mentality that resonates with elite recruits, even when the coaching carousel starts spinning.
Jones is rated as the No. 26 overall player in the 247Sports Composite and the No. 5 edge rusher in the nation. That’s elite territory.
And when you watch him play, you see why. He’s long, explosive, and relentless.
He fits Oregon’s MINT front perfectly, with the kind of lateral quickness and instincts that allow him to chase plays from sideline to sideline. He’s not just a pass rusher-he’s a scheme-versatile weapon who can move around the front seven and cause havoc from multiple spots.
There are shades of Teitum Tuioti in his game-same high motor, same polished technique-but Jones brings a little more length and a bit more positional flexibility. That’s good news for defensive line coach Tony Tuioti, especially with both Teitum and Matayo Uiagalelei heading into draft-eligible years. Oregon needed a high-upside, ready-to-contribute edge defender in this class, and they got one.
Landing Jones wasn’t easy. Holding onto him was even harder. But the Ducks did both, and in doing so, they secured one of the most important pieces of their 2026 recruiting puzzle.