St. Paul’s star edge rusher Tank Jones chose Oregon over Alabama and Texas A&M Thursday. Jones, the state’s top senior prospect, also got offers from Auburn, Georgia, Miami, LSU, Florida, Florida State, Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Texas and Ohio State, among many other Power 4 programs. (Photo courtesy of On3)
By ARTHUR L. MACK
MOBILE — St. Paul’s edge rusher Tank Jones, the state’s top-ranked football recruit in the 2026 class, committed to Oregon on Thursday.
The five-star prospect’s decision was broadcast live nationwide on ESPN’s “Pat McAfee Show” and Jones received a thunderous ovation when he announced he had chosen the Ducks over Texas A&M and Alabama, which had been considered the favorite.
“Eugene (Oregon) will be something different for me,” Jones said. “It’ll be something unique. Once I got the blessing for my mom, I knew it was the right fit for me. I know Oregon can develop me at the next level like being in an NFL scheme. It’s a great place to be. I know it’ll be far away but I can grow and be a better person.”
Jones (6-3, 245) acknowledged the decision was a long journey “but I’m grateful for it,” he said. “My favorite part of the recruiting process was connecting with new people every day and just talking to them, just building lifelong relationships. That’s going to help me for the future.”
Jones said Oregon checked all the boxes for him.
“It was just a matter of being where my parents felt I was safe,” he said. “It was also a matter of learning from the coaches and letting the coaches develop me at the next level.”
