After Oregon’s emotional win over Penn State last week, the Ducks have a bye this weekend. But that doesn’t mean coach Dan Lanning is taking it easy.
Lanning is on the road for a personal visit with a five-star recruit. On Friday night, he was spotted in Mobile, Alabama at St. Paul’s Episcopal High School. That’s where Oregon commit Anthony “Tank” Jones Jr. plays.
Jones has been taking visits recently. Miami and Texas A&M have both hosted him this season. Oregon wants to hold onto him, especially if current star Matayo Uiagalelei declares for the NFL after this season. But Miami and Texas A&M are pushing hard for Jones.
Lanning spent the bye week close to his top recruit. He clearly wants to make a strong impression in person.
247Sports describes Jones as a physically imposing pass rusher. He’s over 230 pounds as a rising senior. He’s fast, strong, and already has a college-ready frame. He can pressure the quarterback from multiple stances and excels at both quickness and power.
Jones is also a three-sport athlete. While not the flashiest mover, he knows how to use leverage and technique. He’s expected to contribute early in college, especially as a run defender. He has the potential to develop into a strong situational pass rusher in a 3-4 defense.
Here’s what 247Sports stated:
“Physically imposing pass rusher in possession of a high octane motor that allows him to generate pressures in both a two or three point stance while operating in an odd front. Already north of 230-pounds as a rising senior, Jones displays a collegiate ready frame in conjunction with an explosive lower half that bodes well for his ability to make an impact sooner rather than later at the next level.
Although he’s not the most dynamic mover off the edge, the three-sport athlete makes good use of his ability to attack leverage while demonstrating the ability to win with quickness or power at the point of attack. A polished defender with a sneaky athletic profile, Jones appears more geared to add value as a run defender early in his collegiate career while projecting as a high floor 3-4 OLB that can also add situational pass rush ability off the edge in obvious passing downs.
