Of all of Oregon's 2026 commits, one stood out as the most difficult to hang on to.
Top schools around the country pursued Anthony "Tank" Jones hard, right up to the first day of the Early Signing Period. From Birmingham, Alabama, the twitchy 6-4, 240 pass rusher and run crusher enjoyed his process, taking fall visits to Auburn, Miami and Texas A&M in addition to the Ducks.
He committed to Oregon on July 31, just ahead of two-a-days at St. Paul's Episcopal School, a state champion in discus who also plays basketball, an offense-wrecking monster who had 122 tackles and 16 sacks as a junior.
So it was a relief when Jones sent in his official paperwork just about an hour ago, a day after reports came out that Duck defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi was nearing a deal to become head coach at Cal.
It's a testament to the stability of the program and the team-oriented approach Dan Lanning and his staff take in building relationships with recruits.
Jones is an impact defender who swallows up ball carriers and quarterbacks with tremendous anticipation and instincts. He's well-coached, phenomenal in how many tackles, sacks and stuffs he makes on the other side of the field. His motor, advanced technique and work habits will remind fans of Teitum Tuioti, though he's a little longer.
He fits extremely well in the MINT defense Oregon employs with his elite lateral pursuit and versatility, a true, sideline-to-sideline edge rusher who moved around in the St. Paul's front seven, even played a little running back.
That the Ducks hung on to him through coaching changes and an intense recruiting process is a major win for this cycle. He's a five-star prospect rated No. 26 in the 247 Sports Composite, the nation's No. 5 edge rusher.
It's a timely get for coach Tuioti as both his son Teitum and Matayo Uiagalelei are draft-eligible juniors.