Elite Defender Anthony Jones Beginning To Grow Bond With Notre Dame

Star 2026 defender Anthony Jones talks about his recruitment and relationship with Notre Dame

When you talk about elite players in the 2026 recruiting class, Mobile (Al.) St. Paul’s Episcopal defender Antony Jones is on the short list. Jones is a player that can play linebacker, defensive end and is even used on the offensive side of the football by St. Paul’s Episcopal.

Notre Dame extended an offer back in May of last year, a rare feat for a player who hadn’t even played their sophomore year yet. With Jones being a potentially elite player in the 2026 class, getting in early was wise. Over the last few weeks, contact has increased substantially.

“We haven’t had a ton of contact but I’m trying to change that,” Jones told Irish Breakdown. “I’m hoping we can speak once a week and really get to develop the relationship. The relationship between us has been getting better, especially since I got to meet the coaches and we got on the phone with them. They seem like great people.

“Notre Dame is a great school that plays high level football,” Jones continued. “I’m blessed to be able to get recruited by them. They are definitely an attractive option. I’m excited to learn more about the program.”

As of now, there are no school visits set up for the offseason. That will absolutely change and there is some interest from Jones to try and visit South Bend. For now, the Alabama native is taking things slow and just enjoying everything that recruiting is bringing.

“Recruiting has been good,” Jones explained. “I have just been going through the process. I’m very fortunate to be in the position I am.”

Getting Jones up for a visit would be massive. He is seen as a long shot right now, especially coming from Alabama, but that could change after he checks out the campus for the first time. There is clearly some interest from Jones, which is a good early sign.

Jones is already considered a potentially elite recruit in the 2026 recruiting class. He is currently rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, On3 and Rivals. The former is especially high on Jones, sitting as the No. 6 overall player and No. 1 linebacker in the class.

The 6-4, 205-pound defender already boasts an insane offer list. Some of the top programs who have offered Jones so far include the Irish, Georgia, Alabama, Miami, Florida State, LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Tennessee, Oregon, Texas A&M, Auburn, Missouri, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Louisville, Colorado, Georgia Tech, UCF, Houston, Stanford, Duke and Vanderbilt among others,

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