Alabama Misses Out on Top In-State Prospect Anthony 'Tank' Jones

Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama staff received a bit of bad news this week as one of the top targets on the Crimson Tide's recruiting board officially announced his commitment to another program.

In an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, 5-Star edge rusher Anthony "Tank" Jones from Mobile, Alabama committed to Oregon, picking the Ducks over Alabama and Texas A&M.

Standing at 6-foot-3, 240 lbs., Jones is one of the most physically impressive edge rushers in the class. He has long arms and is incredibly explosive at the point of attack with the ability to bend around the edge and find his way into the backfield.

As a junior for St. Paul's Episcopal, the Mobile native compiled 84 tackles, 18 TFL's and 16 sacks.

He is ranked as the No. 4 player at his position in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama, according to 247Sports' composite ranking. He took an official visit to Tuscaloosa in June, but it was not enough to earn a commitment from the talented defender.

Despite missing out on Jones, Alabama still holds one of the top ranked recruiting classes in the nation with more 5-Star prospects than any other team currently.

2026 Football Commitments

1. CB Zyan Gibson, 5-foot-11, 177 lbs. - Gadsden, Alabama (Committed 12/24/2024)
2. CB Jorden Edmonds, 6-foot-2, 175 lbs. - Marietta, Georgia (Committed 03/26/2025)
3. EDGE Jamarion Matthews, 6-foot-2, 240 lbs. - Gainesville, Georgia (Committed 02/21/2025)
4. EDGE Kamhariyan Johnson, 6-foot-4, 260 lbs. - Muscle Shoals, Alabama (Committed 04/12/2025)
5. OL Chris Booker, 6-foot-4, 285 lbs. - Atlanta, Georgia (Committed 02/20/2025)
6. OL Sam Utu, 6-foot-4, 320 lbs. - Orange, California (Committed 06/09/2025)
7. QB Jett Thomalla, 6-foot-3, 205 lbs. - Omaha, Nebraska (Committed 06/17/2025)
8. DL JJ Finch, 6-foot-3, 260 lbs. - Indianapolis, Indiana (Committed 06/22/2025)
9. RB Javari Barnett, 5-foot-11, 205 lbs. - Tampa Bay, Florida (Committed 06/23/2025)
10. S Rihyael Kelley, 6-foot-3, 180 lbs. - Cincinnati, Ohio (Committed 06/23/2025)
11. SN Eli Deutsch, 6-foot-2, 225 lbs. - Franklin, Wisconsin (Committed 06/24/2025)
12. RB Ezavier Crowell, 5-foot-10, 210 lbs. - Jackson, Alabama (Committed 06/26/2025)
13. TE Mack Sutter, 6-foot-5, 230 lbs. - Dunlap, Illinois (Committed 06/26/2025)
14. LB Zay Hall, 6-foot-2, 222 lbs. - Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Committed 06/27/2025)
15. LB Xavier Griffin, 6-foot-3, 200 lbs. - Gainesville, Georgia (Committed 06/29/2025)
16. WR Owen Cabell, 6-foot-2, 201 lbs. - Nashville, Tennessee (Committed 06/30/2025)
17. WR Brian Williams, Jr., 6-foot-4, 185 lbs. - Lake Mary, Florida (Committed 07/01/2025)
18. WR Cederian Morgan, 6-foot-4, 220 lbs - Alexander City, Alabama (Committed 07/02/2025)
19. DL Nolan Wilson, 6-foot-4, 250 lbs. - Picayune, Mississippi (Committed 07/04/2025)
20. S Jireh Edwards, 6-foot-2, 210 lbs. - Baltimore, Maryland (Committed 07/05/2025)
21. QB Tayden Kaawa, 6-foot-5, 235 lbs. - Orem, Utah (Committed 07/22/2025)
22. OT Bear Fretwell, 6-foot-6, 295 lbs. - Brooklet, Georgia (Committed 07/25/25)

Check out the Alabama football recruiting tracker to stay up to date with the 2026 class and beyond.

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