Anthony “Poppa” Jones Chooses Ducks Over Badgers
Defensive line prospect Anthony Jones, a four-star recruit originally committed to UCLA and courted by Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin, ended National Signing Day by putting pen to paper with Oregon. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound interior lineman brings three sacks from his latest high school season and versatility—able to play both edge and interior. His decision caps off Oregon’s No. 3 nationally-ranked 2026 recruiting haul, boosting Dan Lanning’s defensive front and joining fellow four-star standout Anthony “Tank” Jones in Eugene.
It’s like watching a rom-com where the Badgers’ cheese-curd charm falls flat and suddenly the Ducks’ sleek uniforms and endless rain become the dream date. Wisconsin’s loss is Oregon’s gain, as coaches pop champagne and recruits pop confetti cannons. Jones has swung from UCLA to Oregon faster than a political flip-flop, proving that nothing says “I love you” like committing at dawn in Autzen Stadium.
Ducks’ Injury Chaos: Shelstad and Demir Done for Season
Oregon’s basketball fortunes took another nosedive as junior guard Jackson Shelstad reaggravated a hand injury and is out for 2025-26, joining junior center Ege Demir (shoulder) and wing Devon Pryor (groin) on the season-ending list. The Ducks have lost eight straight games, sit 8-14 overall and 1-10 in Big Ten play. The lone beacon of hope is senior center Nate Bittle, who may scooter back onto the court against Purdue, as Oregon desperately clings to the tail end of Dana Altman’s 15-year 20-win streak.
If injuries were currency, Oregon would be billionaires. It’s like someone handed the Ducks a coupon for “One Free Season Ruin” and they glued all three redeemable spots on their roster. Altman might as well start coaching from a hospital bed—though he’d probably be an upgrade over this current lineup. Meanwhile, fans wonder if medical redshirts can apply to whole teams.
UCLA Flip: Four-Star Anthony Jones Bolsters Duck Defense
On National Signing Day, former UCLA commit Anthony Jones surprised many by flipping to Oregon. Rated a four-star and No. 35 in the 2026 defensive-lineman class, the 6-foot-5, 285-pound recruit joins a Ducks defense featuring returners A’Mauri Washington, Bear Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti. Chris Hampton takes over as defensive coordinator, hoping Jones can add depth—even if next season’s impact is limited as he acclimates to Eugene.
Nothing says “I love you” like ghosting UCLA for Oregon mid-recruitment. It’s the recruiting equivalent of swiping left on one team’s pancake breakfast and swiping right for endless drizzle and duck calls. If recruits were Tinder matches, Anthony Jones just did a last-minute unmatch and re-match while everyone watched in shock.
Future Ducks: Guerrant, Woodard and Streets on the Radar
Looking toward the 2027 class, Oregon highlights three top targets: four-star wideout Dakota Guerrant (670 yards, 23 TDs), three-star receiver Eli Woodard (nearly 600 yards) and four-star edge rusher Rashad Streets (39.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks). Guerrant and Streets visited for Junior Day, while Woodard sets a Feb. 10 decision. The class already includes Cameron Pritchett, Avery Michael, Drew Fielder and Sam Ngata, ranking No. 20 nationally by 247Sports.
Recruiting season feels like hosting a spaghetti dinner for 100 people and hoping three actually RSVP. Oregon’s coaching staff flirted with Guerrant, serenaded Streets with highlight reels and invited Woodard over for cookies. Will they commit? Will they ghost? Only time and a few well-timed text messages will tell if the Ducks finally snag the next superstar—or just get stuck with the leftovers.
Meet Derrick Brown Jr.: Oregon’s New Portal Pickup
To plug a gaping hole on the defensive line, Oregon snapped up Howard Bison transfer Derrick Brown Jr. Brown totaled 23 tackles and two sacks in 2025, stands 6-5 and weighs 295 pounds—with 26 college starts under his belt. He joins fellow transfers Bleu Dantzler and D’Antre Robinson, plus signees Tony Cumberland and Anthony “Tank” Jones, aiming to compete behind starters Bear Alexander, A’Mauri Washington, Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti for vital rotation snaps in 2026.
The Ducks treated the transfer portal like their late-night Amazon cart—click, click, buy, and suddenly you have a 295-pound tackle flying to Eugene. Derrick Brown Jr. enters like a knight in green armor, ready to joust in Autzen Stadium. Meanwhile, freshmen watch with envy as he breezes past them on the depth chart, sipping post-class smoothies.
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