Oregon Ducks and Dan Lanning land final key defensive talent to their elite 2026 recruiting class

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It wasn't enough for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks to have just one elite defensive talent in their 2026 recruiting class named Anthony Jones, so they added another.

Anthony Jones of St. Paul's Episcopal (Mobile, AL), a five star edge defender, was already committed to Lanning and company as a foundational piece of Oregon's defensive future. The Ducks staff had also brought in a number of other high pedigree players along the defensive front over the past few months as well. Now they land the final piece that gives them perhaps the best defensive front recruiting class in the country by adding Anthony Jones of Crean Lutheran (Irvine, CA).

Anthony Jones commits to Oregon and locks in elite defensive line for Ducks

For those who may not have been following closely to Oregon Ducks freshman recruiting in this era where transfer portal talk dominates, coach Lanning has his 2026 class ranked third in the nation for high school recruiting. They have their quarterback of the future in Bryson Beaver, and a ton of offensive talent to build around him, but the defensive side of the ball looks truly special with this final addition of Anthony Jones.

Two five stars (the other Anthony Jones at edge rusher and Jett Washington at safety). Jones becomes the 11th blue chip freshman recruit signed in Oregon's incredible 2026 haul, which sets up the Ducks to stay competitive at the highest levels of the sport for years to come.

But where does Jones fit in exactly?

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Jones profiles as the perfect athletic interior defensive lineman who can stuff the run, line up anywhere along the Ducks' front, and get after the passer better than expected with his bull rush and quick hands. He'll almost certainly add significant bulk to his already impressive 6-5, 285-pound frame to eventually fill the role that Bear Alexander is currently playing for the Ducks. Jones has the strength and length to control any gap up front, so he may earn a decent rotational role early, plugging in alongside A'Mauri Washington some. Perhaps shifting into the A-gap here and there as well when the Ducks are expecting run.

However, there's also a chance that the talent around him (both veteran and freshman) proves too much in his first year, relegating Jones to a pure backup role in 2026, but that just speaks to how stacked the Ducks roster and recruiting class are.

The Ducks return almost everyone from last year's strong defensive front: Washington, Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, and more. Now they're adding the other Jones, Tony Cumberland (high four star defensive tackle), Prince Tavizon (four-star edge who can slide inside), and Dutch Horisk (versatile three-star pass rush weapon). Jones is the cherry on top of a ridiculously gifted Ducks defense, and Oregon fans can eventually expect him to become much more than that.

We’ll be back with more Oregon Ducks coverage and updates on the Trinidad Chambliss situation here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news.

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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Feb 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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