5-star Tank Jones could ‘crack the rotation’ for Oregon as freshman

Whoever gave Oregon’s true freshman defensive end Anthony Jones the nickname of “Tank” knew what they were doing.

At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Jones is certainly built like a tank, and he will run you over and make you feel as if you were hit by one as well. Not only is he making people turn heads with his physique, but Jones is getting his coaches’ attention with his play early on in his career.

“Sometimes with these edge rushers, you think ‘I only want to play edge, and I don’t want to play inside.’ Tank’s like ‘I want to do what’s best for the team and where you guys think is the best spot for me to be able to go produce,'” Ducks edge coach Kam Araghi said.

It’s that kind of attitude that will get Jones on the field early in the season, which is quite unusual for a true freshman at that position. He also fits the mold of being able to be a utility man along that defensive front, something coaches are looking more at these days.

“I think he’s done an amazing job of giving himself the position versatility to play across the whole line, which is going to give him an opportunity to crack the rotation,” Araghi said.

Fortunately, Oregon already has a player just like that in Matayo Uiagalelei, whom Jones can model his game after. But so far, so good for the Mobile, Ala. native.

“His mentality has been fantastic. I think he can fit in anywhere,” Araghi said. “He’s twitchy and quick enough to be able to play on the edge, but he’s also physical enough and does a great job of playing with power from ground to the man and translating it to his hands to play inside as well.”

Under head coach Dan Lanning, the Ducks are not only recruiting and ultimately signing players, such as Jones, but they are also successful in developing them and having them go early in the NFL draft. Uiagalelei will be just that after this season and if the early projections stay true, Jones will be shaking NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s hand in three to four years.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 5-star Tank Jones could ‘crack the rotation’ for Oregon as freshman