Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning has pulled another rabbit out of his hat. Edge rusher Anthony “Tank” Jones committed to the Ducks on Thursday. Lanning has done this before, landing five-star recruits out of nowhere, but this one has a very different meaning. Jones wasn’t even on the radar until the official announcement.
The 6’4″, 240 pounds rusher was expected to choose between Texas A&M and Alabama. These two were considered his finalists. But the Ducks came in to sweep him off. As exciting news it is for Oregon, fans are split between feeling bad for Alabama and trolling Jones for his decision.
Immediately after the news went public, fans expressed their reactions on X.
“Bama are cooked beyond belief,” one fan wrote.
Bama are cooked beyond belief
— Ben (@TheHurricaneBen) July 31, 2025
Some fans believe that Jones’ decision was influenced by the money he’ll get in Oregon as compared to Alabama.
“Bro chose money over national championships 😂” another fan wrote.
Bro chose money over national championships 😂
— vct blink (@blinkfv7) July 31, 2025
Here are some of the other notable reactions from fans trolling the two teams that missed out.
“This flip will be legendary,” a fan wrote.
“Alabama got stuffed!!!” another commented.
“Texas A&M strikes out again,” a fan noted.
“Money bags over development hope your career tanks,” another posted.
Anthony Jones revealed why he chose the Oregon over Alabama
Anthony Jones is a talented athlete with a bright future ahead of him. He is a five-star recruit, the 18th-ranked player in the country, the 4th-ranked EDGE, and the number 1 player from Alabama. Although snubbing his home team was bound to bring some heat his way, he knows he has made an informed decision.
A player with so much riding on his shoulders wouldn’t compromise his career for momentary gains. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on July 31, he revealed his reason.
“The relationships I have with them, the way I know they can develop me, the history of coach Lanning and coach Lupoi,” Jones said. “I know they can get me to the next level.”
“I just know that @CoachDanLanning is gonna take me to the next level” ~ @Tank_Jones251 #PMSLive https://t.co/1CagjndTVQ pic.twitter.com/lFx87Tnn93
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 31, 2025
If Anthony Jones believes Oregon is the right choice for him, he must have good reasons for the same. As for the doubts about him prioritizing money over his development, only time will tell based on what coach Lanning does with him.
The bottom line is that this decision, as per Jones, is best for him. But it’s going to sting Alabama and Kalen DeBoer for a while.
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