As Dan Lanning prepares to take on Indiana this Saturday, the Ducks receive concerning news about one of their future commits. Anthony Jones, a 5-star edge rusher for St. Paul’s Episcopal High School, committed to Oregon in July. As is the norm in the changing landscape of college football, it’s not final until Signing Day. Other programs continue to pursue Jones, and some big names are doing everything to flip him from the Ducks.

Big games become flip sites for major programs. This Saturday, as Auburn takes on Georgia at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Anthony Jones is expected to be in attendance. This is on the back of his two similar game visits to Texas A&M and Miami.

It’s easy to see why Anthony Jones has become such a highly sought-after target. His size and ability to play versatile positions in both offense and defense are admirable qualities. The Rival Industry ranks Anthony Jones as the No. 4 edge rusher in the country. But Jones’ father thinks that it’s too soon to make any assumptions.

“Those guys talk daily. Dan Lanning actually came to his game, and that was pretty cool,” said Anthony Jones’ father, emphasizing that the visits are not an immediate threat to Oregon.

If Dan Lanning and Anthony are in regular contact, then there is little to no reason for Oregon to worry. “It will take a lot to get him away from Oregon right now,” assured Jones’ father.

After his visit to the Jordan-Hare Stadium, he plans to return to Oregon one last time before taking a break to focus on the playoffs. Remember the kind of competition Oregon faced to land Anthony Jones. The likes of Auburn, Alabama, Miami, and Texas A&M pushed them to the last moment, and ultimately, the Ducks conquered. However, at least three still remain interested.

Why does Dan Lanning prefer Anthony Jones?

Dan Lanning is looking to build a team with superior depth in 2026. For that to happen, he needs to recruit young, hungry, and talented players. Anthony Jones fits that description perfectly. His size is one of his best factors, standing at a height of 6’3 and weighing around 240 lbs. No wonder his nickname is ‘Tank.’

His sophomore year numbers were ridiculous, boasting over 100 tackles, 11 TFLs, and 10 sacks. Then he continued performing well in his Junior year, posting 84 solo tackles, 16 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss. It is not just the numbers; his versatility will be a big bonus for Oregon. He can play as an edge or a linebacker and can also contribute to the offense by playing tight end.

These skills and achievements have led him to be ranked No. 20 overall in Rivals’ prospect list. Enough reasons for Dan Lanning to spend time and money on the highly sought-after target. His addition will make Oregon stronger, both in depth and quality.