Future teammates express excitement about Tank Jones commitment

Landing top recruits like Anthony "Tank" Jones has tremendous value for the Ducks beyond his individual talent and potential.

His recruitment creates momentum that effects other top prospects, Once he gets on the practice field, his quickness and power create a testing ground for Oregon's recruits at tackle, Tommy Tofi of Bishop Riordan in San Francisco, Immanuel Iheanacho of George Washington Prep in Baltimore, Maryland.

If Tofi and Iheanacho can block Jones, they're ready for the top pass rushers in the Big Ten. Iron sharpens iron. The three of them can get each other ready for the next level, rep by rep.

Posting from the weight room at his high school, Iheanacho shared visible excitement. The 6-6, 345 tackle prospect squats 600 pounds. He understands that the battles with Tank Jones will prepare him for his ultimate goal, making the NFL.

Good on good is the key to improvement, to reaching your ceiling as a player.

Tofi demonstrated a similar enthusiasm.

While it's possible to become an NFL player in a downtrodden program with a lackluster future, it's a lot easier to develop in an environment where 1) you're being tested every day, 2) standards are high and 3) there's a commitment to winning and excellence.

Add in the Oregon nutrition, strength and conditioning program, and it's a powerful appeal for players who want to reach the highest level. These new Ducks took notice when Josh Conerly and Derrick Harmon went in the first round, and Jordan Burch went in the third, 78th overall.

After his commitment Jones said about the Oregon program, "It's unique, it's different. It's far away, but it's a place where I can grow. I can be a better person, a better man; they can prepare me for life."

On his visits to Oregon, he saw that formula working first-hand. Committing to Oregon was about more than just the money.

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