Oregon Makes Massive Recruiting Statement With Latest 5-Star Commitment

Oregon Makes Massive Recruiting Statement With Latest 5-Star Commitment originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Last season, Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks finished 13-1, capturing the Big Ten title and earning a No. 3 final AP ranking.

Despite losing in the Rose Bowl to the eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, it was a historic season in Eugene, with the program celebrating its first undefeated regular season since 2010.

With a national championship nod from Anderson & Hester and Wolfe Ratings, though not officially claimed by the program, the Ducks enter 2025 poised for another title run.

The core of any championship defense begins in recruiting, and on Thursday, Oregon landed a game-changer on the defensive front: Anthony "Tank" Jones.

Jones joined "The Pat McAfee Show" to announce his official decision to play for the Ducks, choosing Oregon over Alabama and Texas A&M.

Is Anthony Jones a Good Fit for Oregon?

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 245 pounds, Jones is the No. 18 overall prospect and the No. 4 EDGE rusher in the 2026 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

Hailing from St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile, Alabama, Jones piled up 84 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 16 sacks as a junior, per On3, anchoring a unit that repeatedly overwhelmed high-powered offenses.

Jones is no stranger to big-stage performances outside of football, either.

On the track, he claimed the Alabama 6A discus state championship with a toss of 161 feet, 5 inches as a junior and earned silver in the shot put at 56 feet, 3.75 inches.

After a historic run in 2024, Oregon needs game-changing defensive talent to stay atop the Big Ten.

Jones brings the type of disruptive skill set that can flip the field on third down and set the tone against opposing offenses.

The Ducks Remain Hot In July

Landing a five-star recruit from Alabama, long considered deep Crimson Tide territory, signals that Lanning’s national brand is in full bloom.

It also caps what has been a historic month of recruiting for Oregon. In July alone, No. 2-ranked offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho, No. 5-ranked tackle Tommy Tofi, four-star ATH Jalen Lott, four-star safety Devin Jackson and now Jones have all committed to play for the Ducks.

No. 2-ranked safety Jett Washington, four-star defensive lineman Prince Tavizon, four-star receiver Messiah Hampton and four-star quarterback Bryson Beaver also made their respective decisions in June.

Having stacked together several of the nations top prospects, Oregon has the No. 8 overall recruiting ranking for 2026.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.