Edge Rusher Jaxson Jones Locked in With Oregon
Oregon's 2024 class is off to a hot start as we turn the page from 2023. One of the newest commits is edge rusher Jaxson Jones from Yuma (Ariz.) Catholic High School.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound defensive standout spoke with Ducks Digest about his decision to commit to Oregon and the latest in his recruitment.
Jaxson Jones poses for a photo inside Autzen Stadium.
Jaxson Jones/Oregon Athletics
"I take my Dad's word very highly in the recruiting process because he's been there and he's been through it," Jones said. "When we went there we weren't planning on committing.
"After the visit my dad really told me he thinks that's where I should go. He thinks that's where I fit in the best and that's where I can succeed as a player. From my own point of view I thought everything he said, I felt the same exact way about it."
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Jones is one of the top players in his state and had just de-committed from Washington prior to the trip. He shed some light on why he committed when he did.
"The whole process was pretty stressful for me. We went up there, I was looking for some coaches that really cared for me as a person, not just as a player. At Oregon they really showed me that. Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to be great. I love that. I got to be around some of the players, it was all just perfect I think."
Jaxson Jones is Oregon's first defensive commitment in the 2024 recruiting class.
Jaxson Jones/Oregon Athletics
Tosh Lupoi is one of the top recruiters in the country and laid out his vision for Jones.
"He loves being there I could tell. He can also bring up football in a way that hasn't been done before in my opinion," he told Ducks Digest. "The way he was telling me stuff, he made it so clear, understandable--of what I needed to do and what I would be doing."
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Oregon's newest commit is coming to Eugene with a clear mission to elevate the pass rush.
"I feel like my strengths would be coming off the edge, getting to the quarterback, being able to do what I do and I really feel like that's what they really truly want me to do."
Dan Lanning's genuine approach helped the Ducks reel in another important recruit for the future of the program.
Jaxson Jones and his father spending time with Dan Lanning during his trip to Eugene.
Jaxson Jones
"I love being around Coach Lanning. When I first had my meeting with him we really didn't talk about football," he said. "I want to be able to do things for myself after football. Just to see that he really cares about that, him telling me the opportunities I could have after that--it was just him understanding."
Hist most recent trip to Eugene was his first time seeing the Ducks, and now there's one thing he's most excited about.
"The atmosphere on game days," Jone said. "I just think that's going to be unbeatable. You know it's going to be packed and rocking."
Even though he just pledged to the Ducks that's not stopping other schools from recruiting him.
"Basically every school that was recruiting me before, they're all still hitting me up. Trying to talk to me. But I'm trying to be clear, I found my fit, I want to go to Oregon I don't want to go anywhere else. In a nice way I'm telling them I found my fit, I just want to focus on Oregon."
Now that he's locked in with the Ducks there are a couple of Arizona standouts that he'd like to join him in Eugene.
"Christian Clark. Ca'lil Valentine. Elijah Rushing. Those are the main guys. I talk to them about Oregon. They all feel highly of Oregon. If I can get guys like that to come with I think we'd be able to change the game."
Jones still has his senior season ahead of him but he's ready to get rolling with Oregon as soon as possible.
"I plan on going up early in December to start practicing for the bowl game," he said. "I'm going to graduate school early and practice for the Bowl game and just get enrolled and start that next semester."
Jones plans to get back to Oregon for another trip in March and attend the spring game.
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