In His Final Collegiate Stop, Transfer Edge Anthony Jones Set to Face Three of His Former Schools as a Husker

The senior defensive lineman admits he’ll “feel it a little bit” when those games arrive, but he’s focused on taking the season “one game at a time.”

Anthony Jones | Nate Donlevy, UCLA Athletics

Anthony Jones has already seen plenty of college football during his career, playing at four different programs before landing at Nebraska. After practice Friday, the veteran defensive lineman told the media about his unique journey and what it's like knowing he'll face three of his former schools this season.

The former three-star prospect out of Liberty High School in Las Vegas spent one season at Oregon in 2022, Indiana in 2023, and Michigan State in 2024. and UCLA in 2025. Now, he'll get the chance to face those first three programs as a Husker.

While those matchups will certainly be different for the veteran edge defender, he's not putting too much emphasis on them.

“Yeah, for sure. But, you know, when those games come, you feel it a little bit, but I try to take it one game at a time,” Jones said. “I don't try to make anything too much bigger than what it is because it's not just about me, you know, it's about the team.”

Anthony Jones makes a tackle last season against one of his former teams, Michigan State. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Jones Has Learned From Every Stop

Jones has played in 37 games with 14 starts, totaling 58 tackles, 6½ tackles for loss, 3½ sacks and one pass breakup. With four different programs already on his college résumé, he has learned from a number of different coaches and teammates. The 6-foot-5, 260 pound defender sees the experience as "a big blessing."

“For me, it's been really good. I've been able to make a bunch of relationships. I've gotten to learn a bunch of ball from a bunch of different coaches,” Jones said.

Now, Jones gets to bring all of that experience into a Nebraska defensive line room that has continued to develop throughout the offseason.

Roy Manning and Anthony Jones at Nebraska football practice. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Jones and Manning Continue to Bounce Ideas Off Each Other

One of the biggest benefits for Jones has been getting to work with Nebraska edges coach Roy Manning, who has experience playing in the Big Ten himself. Jones said that experience has helped the two develop a strong relationship, with Manning understanding what it takes to be successful at the next level.

“Man, it's been awesome. Especially coming from a guy that's played in this league before. You know that he knows what it takes to be a successful player,” Jones said.

The relationship has gone beyond Manning simply coaching Jones. The two have been able to bounce ideas off each other throughout the offseason.

“So, you know, there's some drills that I will tell him I think are going to work for us and, you know, he comes to me for certain ideas and same same for me to him,” Jones said. “So, it's been really good.”

Nebraska's Offensive Line Is Pushing Jones

Jones has also found plenty of competition on the other side of the ball during fall camp. Going against Elijah Pritchett, Tree Babalade, Gunnar Gottula, Justin Evans, Paul Mubenga, and Brendan Black has forced Jones to bring his best every day.

Jones said the different looks Nebraska's offensive line provides have made the battles especially valuable.

“You're seeing new things. You're getting different sets. You're getting all different types of body types,” Jones said. “And with Justin leading them and you know how much ball he's played, it's honestly been really good.”

Anthony Jones in action against Nebraska last season. | Ross Turteltaub, UCLA Athletics

It's About More Than Chasing Sacks

Manning has also emphasized a different approach to pass rushing this season, moving away from focusing solely on sacks and instead talking about controlling the pocket. For Jones, that means understanding how important it is for every defensive lineman to stay within the scheme instead of simply trying to make a play for himself.

“You have to rush four as one. I can't go and try to just chase sacks and run up the field and then if I'm not on the same page as Jahsear or anybody else who's out there,” Jones said. “We all have to be on the same page.”

The goal is to force quarterbacks to stay in the pocket while allowing the entire defense to work together.

“If we force the quarterbacks to throw from the pocket, it's going to be a lot harder for them to beat us,” Jones said. “Just being able to have situational awareness, know how to rush within the defense.”

That mentality could be a big part of Jones' role on Nebraska's defensive line as he looks to use his experience to help the Huskers take another step defensively.

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