Oregon head coach Dan Lanning. Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dan Lanning, Oregon snag five-star EDGE away from Alabama

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 6:05 PM ET

What a huge win this is going to end up being for the Oregon Ducks. Not only did they land a big-time 2026 recruit, but Dan Lanning and his staff stole Anthony Jones right out from under the nose of Kaleb DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

On Thursday, Jones announced his commitment to Oregon. From Mobile, Alabama (St. Paul's Episcopal), the 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge rusher had a final group of Oregon, Alabama and Texas A&M.

“The process was tough. I took my time, stayed humble, and listened to the people I trust," Jones told Chad Simmons of Rivals. "I have had this feeling about Oregon for a while now, and the relationships were strong, and it just came down to that gut feeling.”

BREAKING: Five-Star EDGE Anthony “Tank” Jones has Committed to Oregon, he tells me for @rivals

The 6’4 255 EDGE from Mobile, AL chose the Ducks over Alabama & Texas A&M

“Bama 2 Eugene ScoooDucks”https://t.co/6etJGCFmwz pic.twitter.com/uS13rED8Yq
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 31, 2025

Jones grew up an Alabama fan and could have stayed in-state and even competed for championships with the Crimson Tide, but he's far from the only top recruit to go to college out of state in order to write their own story.

That was part of it, alongside the relationships he had built with Lanning and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi.

“It’s different, but that’s what I need,” Jones explained. “It’ll make me uncomfortable — in a good way. That’ll push me to work even harder and to be better. Oregon is a different place, but I love the scenery, the weather, and how it feels when I am there.

“I grew up an Alabama fan and I never thought I would go to Oregon when all of this started, but it is about the relationships, the vision and the feeling I have about the coaches."

What a massive win this is for Lanning and his staff. Conversely, this is a terrible recruiting loss for DeBoer and the Crimson Tide.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Jones is the No. 4 EDGE in the 2026 class and the No. 18 recruit overall.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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