When Anthony “Tank” Jones announced his commitment to Oregon on The Pat McAfee Show in July this year, it didn’t feel like the tides would change so soon. Yet, just two months after shunning the Alabama Crimson Tide, Miami Hurricanes, and Texas A&M Aggies, he’s currently on Flip Watch. Reason: Jones’ multiple visits to Coral Gables, including for the season-opener against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and vs the Florida Gators this upcoming weekend. But is the 5-star edge rusher really going to leave?

Ducks Digest’s Max Torres doesn’t think so. “I would say that there’s not that much concern,” the journalist noted on Rivals. “But when a prized recruit like Jones takes multiple trips to a school like Miami, that can definitely carry its weight…in the NIL arms race. I think it’s only natural to maybe give it some pause or give it a second thought, especially given the fact that Miami wasn’t one of Jones’s final top schools before he committed to Oregon in July.” Truth be told, if you were to hear the young player’s father talk about the Hurricanes, you’d be doubtful, too.

“They’ve always been around. Good relationship. Jason Taylor is a good guy. The relationship, just in case. Still got till December,” the dad noted about Miami’s defensive ends coach. Yet, Dan Lanning clearly has the upper hand, as the dad further mentioned how it’s going to “take a lot” to flip his son, before adding, “As of right now, everything is going its course.” Notably, the Ducks have already lost their five-star OT Kodi Greene when he flipped to the Washington Huskies in April. Additionally, five-star DE Richard Wesley also left in just 17 days, joining the Texas Longhorns in June. No wonder Jones’ decommitment would mark another significant hit.

A multi-sport athlete, the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder won the 6A discus state championship as a junior, tossing for 161 feet, 5 inches. In the shot put, he bagged silver after throwing for 56 feet, 3.75 inches. Apart from that, in the same year, ‘Tank’ also recorded 84 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks. But sticking to a single position isn’t for him. According to his high school head coach, Ham Barnett, Jones is way more than that.

“I’ve never really seen someone like him at the high school level, who is that long and can play that many positions and has ball skills like he has. If he wanted to be a tight end, he’d probably be the No. 1 tight end in the country because his ball skills are elite. His route running is elite. He could be anything he wants to be.” That quality surely becomes a top factor in determining Anthony ‘Tank’ Jones’ demand. Mario Cristobal will surely be taking notes. Maybe with a substantial NIL offer—like they did to Jackson Cantwell at $2 million annually—the HC could finally have the last laugh.

However, for now, it’s likely that Jones is fully committed to Oregon, which itself has gone 3-0 this season. The love for the program is still there, as his father called Eugene a “second home” for his son. Hopefully, Jones will feel the same way in the long run, too…