The Oregon Ducks are gaining serious momentum with their 2026 recruiting class, securing major commitments from two five-star talents—safety Jett Washington and offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho. Now, all eyes are on elite edge rusher Anthony Jones as the next potential addition.
Jones remains one of the highest-ranked uncommitted prospects in the 2026 cycle. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, he’s rated as the No. 20 overall player in the nation, the No. 3 edge rusher, and the No. 2 recruit out of Alabama. He’s set to make his college decision in July, with Oregon, Alabama, and Texas A\&M listed as his final three options.
Alabama holds a natural edge in Anthony Jones’ recruitment, as the Crimson Tide are his home-state team and a childhood favorite. Under head coach Kalen DeBoer, Alabama has maintained strong recruiting momentum, further strengthening their case. Meanwhile, Texas A\&M has also been a major player, boasting the No. 3 recruiting class in the country and hosting Jones on multiple visits.
However, Oregon is making a strong late push. Head coach Dan Lanning and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi have been actively recruiting Jones, keeping the Ducks firmly in the mix. Oregon’s consistently high-performing defense under Lanning has made a strong impression on top defensive recruits like Jones.
The Oregon Ducks have proven their ability to develop top-tier defensive talent, highlighted by defensive lineman Derrick Harmon being selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. With a defensive-minded head coach in Dan Lanning and a strong track record of preparing players for the NFL, Oregon presents an appealing destination for elite prospects like Anthony Jones.
Though the Ducks weren’t initially seen as serious contenders for Jones, that narrative has shifted in recent months. He’s made multiple visits to Eugene, including attending a game last fall. Oregon’s lead recruiter, Kamran Araghi, has built a strong relationship with Jones, engaging in in-depth conversations about his potential role, early playing time, and the quality of coaching he would receive. According to On3’s Chad Simmons, these efforts have positioned Oregon as a legitimate threat in Jones’ recruitment.
According to On3’s Chad Simmons, Alabama remains the frontrunner in Anthony Jones’ recruitment, with Oregon currently sitting at No. 3 among his top schools. However, Simmons also emphasized that the race is extremely tight, and Oregon is very much in the mix. The Ducks’ recent recruiting momentum could be a key factor in Jones’ decision, especially as the program continues to stack talent and maintain its status as a national contender.
It’s been a major week for Oregon on the recruiting trail. On July 3, the Ducks landed their biggest commitment yet in five-star offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho, the highest-rated offensive lineman ever to pledge to Oregon. Just one day earlier, four-star interior offensive lineman Tommy Tofi flipped his commitment from Cal to the Ducks—marking the second Cal-to-Oregon flip in less than a week.
With elite talent flowing into Eugene and a strong defensive infrastructure already in place, the Ducks are making a compelling case for a player like Anthony Jones to join their 2026 class.
The Oregon Ducks’ 2026 recruiting class has surged to No. 8 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, fueled by a wave of recent high-profile commitments. With 14 recruits now on board—including two five-stars and eight four-stars—Oregon has firmly reestablished itself as a recruiting powerhouse.
After falling short on a few key targets earlier in the spring, the Ducks have completely flipped the narrative, building major momentum heading into the summer. With things trending upward, Oregon could be in position to land yet another five-star recruit before the month is over.
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