Party cranks up as Anthony 'Tank' Jones picks Ducks live on McAfee

Journalists watch a television at the Pro Football Hall of Fame waiting for Pat McAfee, the host of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN to announce that he will broadcast live from the Hall of Fame on July 31 ahead of this year's Hall of Fame Game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers. Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Journalists watch a television at the Pro Football Hall of Fame waiting for Pat McAfee, the host of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN to announce that he will broadcast live from the Hall of Fame on July 31 ahead of this year's Hall of Fame Game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers. Tuesday, July 15, 2025. | Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

He's Oregon's fourth five-star in the 2026 class, joining safety Jett Washington, tight end Kendre Harrison and offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho. Anthony "Tank" Jones, the 6-4, 240 edge rusher from St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama, announced for the Ducks live on the Pat McAfee Show moments ago Thursday morning.

The Ducks haven't chased every big name and they haven't opened the vault to win every bidding war. They bowed out on Ryder Lyons, Tyler Atkinson and Jackson Cantwell. But when you look at the talent and the quality of competitive, goal-driven football players they've closed the deal on, this is shaping up to be the most dynamic class of Dan Lanning's brilliant four-year run in Eugene.

Jones is a prodigious talent, a grown man on the football field. He racked up 84 tackles and 16 sacks as a junior. He's quick with a monster motor. When I think about an Oregon defense with Tony Cumberland and Jones up front, Tristan Phillips at linebacker and Jett Washington at safety, I get goosebumps.

In the 247 Sports Composite Jones is the No. 18 recruit and No. 4 edge rusher. More importantly, he's the one Dan Lanning wanted.

These guys are driven and dynamic. Jones attacks, sheds blockers and pursues like a football wrecking ball. He's a good student who has his head on straight, and all through his process he stressed coaching, development and relationships.

Jealous opponents will say "Oregon gave him a bag" or "Phil Knight opened up the wallet." That's a waste of time, useless noise. College football players get paid now. The objective is to get the best players you can and compete for national championships while maintaining a workable budget. The Ducks are winning the game the way it's played in the real world.

Tasmanian Devil defensive tackle Deuce Geralds and elite cover corner Davon Benjamin announce on Saturday.

From Duck Sports Central, the Oregon 2026 recruiting class so far, prior to Anthony Jones:



2026 Oregon Commits

Immanuel Iheanacho — OT

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Baltimore (MD) | Georgetown Prep

Jett Washington — S

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Las Vegas (NV) | Bishop Gorman

Kendre Harrison — TE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Reidsville (NC) | Reidsville

Jalen Lott — ATH

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Lucas (TX) | Panther Creek

Tradarian Ball — RB

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Texarkana (TX) | Texas High

Tony Cumberland — DL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Eugene (OR) | Willamette

Messiah Hampton — WR

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Rochester (NY) | James Monroe

Tommy Tofi — OL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Sacramento (CA) | Archbishop Riordan

Prince Tavizon — EDGE

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | San Diego (CA) | Lincoln

Bryson Beaver — QB

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Murietta (CA) | Vista Murietta

Devin Jackson — S

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Winter Garden (FL) | The First Academy

Tristan Phillips — LB

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ventura (CA) | Ventura

Xavier Lherisse — DB

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Melbourne (FL) | Eau Gallie

Dutch Horisk — EDGE

⭐⭐⭐ | Riverside (CA) | St. John Bosco

Koloi Keli — OL

⭐⭐⭐ | Honolulu (HI) | Farrington

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