The Wisconsin Badgers came close, but ultimately missed out on a key defensive line target in the 2026 class. Anthony Jones, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive lineman out of Irvine, California, has committed to the Oregon Ducks after narrowing his choices down to Oregon and Wisconsin. It was a recruitment that went right down to the wire, but in the end, Dan Lanning and the Ducks won out over Luke Fickell and the Badgers.
Jones had originally committed to UCLA under the previous coaching staff, but after a shakeup in Westwood, he reopened his recruitment. He briefly re-committed to the Bruins before deciding the fit wasn’t quite right with the new regime. That’s when both Oregon and Wisconsin jumped into the mix, hoping to land the versatile lineman.
For Wisconsin, this one stings a bit-not a crushing blow, but definitely a missed opportunity. Fickell has made it clear he’s always on the hunt for size and athleticism up front, and Jones checks a lot of those boxes.
At 284 pounds, he’s nearly at that 300-pound benchmark Fickell likes for his interior linemen, and with a college strength program, he’d likely get there quickly. His blend of size and mobility made him a natural fit in Wisconsin’s defensive scheme.
More than that, the path to early playing time in Madison likely would’ve been clearer. With Wisconsin’s defensive line turnover and the way Fickell likes to rotate his front, Jones could have carved out a role early in his college career. At Oregon, he’ll be competing in a deeper, more established defensive front-so cracking the rotation might take a little more time.
That said, Wisconsin isn’t left empty-handed in the 2026 class. The Badgers have already secured commitments from a pair of promising 3-star defensive linemen: Djidjou Bah from Germantown, Tennessee, and Arthur Scott out of Streetsboro, Ohio. Both bring size, power, and upside to a group that continues to evolve under Fickell’s leadership.
And let’s not forget the transfer portal. Wisconsin added four defensive linemen through the portal this cycle, bolstering a unit that needed immediate help. So while Jones would’ve been a strong addition, the Badgers have plenty of reinforcements already on the way.
As for Jones, he’s headed to Eugene, where Lanning clearly made a strong impression. Whether he sees the field early or has to wait his turn, Oregon is getting a player with serious potential. For Wisconsin, it’s on to the next one-recruiting battles don’t stop, and Fickell has shown he’s more than ready to keep building his trenches, one big body at a time.