St. Paul’s 5-star LB Anthony ‘Tank’ Jones’ decision could come this week

One of the top senior football recruits in the state will announce his commitment within the next two weeks, possibly as early as later this week.

St. Paul’s 5-star EDGE Anthony “Tank” Jones told reporters at Mobile County High School Media Day on Monday that his decision is coming soon but didn’t specify a specific time or date.

“It’s getting a little stressful now,” he said Monday. “A lot of people are coming out of nowhere and texting me.”

Jones announced earlier this month that he had narrowed his choices to Alabama, Oregon and Texas A&M.

The 6-4, 245-pound standout is the No. 1 senior recruit in Alabama, according to the 247 composite rankings, and the No. 18 overall recruit in the nation. He is No. 2 on AL.com’s A-List of top senior prospects in the state.

Jones finished his junior season with 84 solo tackles, 38 assists, 18 tackles for a loss and 16 sacks. He also had a pair of interceptions. On offense, he scored 5 rushing TDs and 3 receiving touchdowns. The first-team Class 6A All-State selection also was a finalist for Lineman of the Year.

If Jones chooses Alabama, the Crimson Tide would have a clean sweep of the top four prospects in the state, having already secured commitments from Benjamin Russell WR C.D. Morgan, Jackson RB EJ Crowell and Gadsden City DB Zyan Gibson.

If he picks Oregon, it would mean the Ducks would have come into Alabama each of the last two years and pulled what many experts think is the state’s top prospect. A year ago, Parker DB Na’eem Offord committed to Oregon. Dan Lanning and company also already have a commitment from one of the state’s top 2027 prospects, Thompson EDGE Cameron Pritchett.

Texas A&M also is no stranger to recruiting players from Alabama. In the Class of 2025, the Aggies signee Carver-Montgomery WR TK Norman. A&M also originally had a 2024 commitment from No. 1 recruit Cam Coleman, who eventually signed with Auburn after the firing of Aggies’ head coach Jimbo Fisher.

Here is how Jones broke down his finalists on Monday:

Alabama: “Love the coaching staff. I’ve known Kane Wommack since my freshman year. Being in that defense, the 4-2-5, would be great.”

Oregon: “NFL style with coach (Dan) Lanning. Coach (Tosh) Lupoi has been coaching edges for a while. I feel like that would would be great for me to be developed by them.”

Texas A&M: “Producing of NFL defensive linemen. At A&M, you can just come of the edge and go eat.”

Jones said he is ready to announce a decision so he can focus on his team and the school year. He said he has had to use an alternate name at times when ordering Door Dash because of the increased attention on his decision.

Jones and St. Paul’s open the season at rival UMS-Wright on Aug. 22.

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