Week 8 of college football has ended, and several teams that showcased potential before have now fallen behind. But a program like the University of Oregon, coached by Dan Lanning, continues to dominate. The Ducks, with quarterback Dante Moore at the helm, have been incredible in the Big 10 with a 6-1 record. Similar to their on-field exploits, the Ducks have been active in recruitment by finalizing a commitment from 5-star edge rusher Anthony ‘Tank’ Jones.

But with December’s Early Signing Period weeks away, there’s always a chance for an unexpected flip. This is something Lanning and the Ducks may fall prey to. Especially with their star recruit taking visits to colleges closer to his home. Coming from the small port of Mobile in Alabama, there is speculation that Jones is now drawing significant interest from other top-tier schools, particularly Miami.

As per the Rivals Flip Watch, Anthony Jones could be on the flip despite his early commitment to the Ducks. Nicknamed the ‘Tank’, the 18-year-old has taken trips to Coral Gables both before and after his official visit to Eugene, giving the Hurricanes momentum in his recruitment. For Jones, “Location and NIL could play significant factors,” as per Rivals, as he could take his talents to South Beach.

Losing a recruit like Jones will be a tough loss for Lanning. The St. Paul’s Episcopal High School OLB has recorded 84 tackles,18 tackles-for-loss, and 16 sacks in his junior season campaign. These staggering numbers and his towering physical attributes have ranked the ‘Tank’ fourth in his class, as per Rivals. Hence, the Ducks have some intense and stressful days ahead.

Dan Lanning’s Defensive Track Record Strengthens Oregon’s Hold

But despite these recent rumours, Anthony Jones has expressed excitement whenever asked about joining Oregon. This comes as no surprise, as Lanning and the Ducks have garnered a reputation for creating a great defensive pipeline to the NFL. Players like DL Derrick Harmon (Pittsburgh Steelers), edge rusher Jordan Burch (Arizona Cardinals) are examples from the 2025 draft itself.

Jones highlighted this aspect by stating, “Coach Dan Lanning and [defensive coordinator] Tosh Lupoi, they have a history of coaching edges and getting guys to the league with their NFL scheme,” in an interview with ESPN. Similarly, Lanning and other Oregon recruitment staff have also travelled to Mobile, Alabama, to observe Jones from close quarters.

Coach Dan Lanning was spotted at Jones’ high school in early October during the bye week after the Ducks won against Penn State on the road. This attention played a crucial role in his decision, as he said, “They’ve been coming to see me and made me a real priority.” Hence, it remains difficult to say whether Anthony Jones actually ends up at Autzen Stadium this year. But if Jones lives up to his potential, he will be a defensive superstar for years to come.