5-Star DL Tony Cumberland Details Oregon Commitment

The Ducks scored an early commitment from a top-30 player in the 2026 recruiting class.

Over the weekend Oregon picked up a verbal commitment from 2026 Scottsdale (Ariz.) Desert Mountain defensive lineman Tony Cumberland. He picked the Ducks over offers from schools like Ohio State, Texas and Ole Miss among others.

He took some time to speak with Ducks Digest about his commitment and what's next.

Recruitment 100% CLOSED, officially apart of the Duck Family 🦆 @CoachDanLanning pic.twitter.com/5shm0DYdd2

— Tony Cumberland (@tony_cumberland) September 23, 2023

"I felt like the feeling that I had there compared to any other school was different," Cumberland said on the reasoning behind his commitment. "I felt like any other school was always a business trip, but when I went there, it was like I was going to see family. I was comfortable."

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive lineman has numerous bonds with the coaching staff including head coach Dan Lanning, defensive analyst Kamran Araghi, and defensive assistant Tony Washington Jr. 

In the end one thing helped put those relationships over the top.

"I just feel like how I can relate to most of them," Cumberland said of what made his connections special. "Most of them have been in the position I've been in, or some of them even have lived in Arizona. Just the connection I feel like I don't have with all the other coaches just brings us closer together."

A lot of fans see a commitment from a 2026 recruit and are shocked at how much more high school he has left, so I asked the newest Duck why now was the right time to commit.

"I felt like my commitment really never had a date on it," he said. "So I could have waited until my senior year or even in my freshman year. I feel like I've never planned to like do it. It's just something that I went with emotion with. And at the time, the time came, and I just felt like it was a great time and I'm still sticking with the decision."

READ MORE: Priority 2024 Oregon target picks up new recruiting prediction

There may be some more news on the way for Duck fans. The Columbus, Ohio native sounds like he wants to get a jumpstart on his college career.

"I'm 16, but my grades are good enough right now for me to re-class. So that's the probably the plan right now is to re-class up (to 2025)."

Cumberland's mother was one of his biggest supporters throughout his recruitment and told him she'd stand by any decision he made.

"So my mom was always-- our thing was always, it's my decision and whatever I want to do, she's by my side. So when I got the okay from her, I just knew that it was time. My mom, she's always been that person where, if you feel it's the right decision, I'm gonna stand by you. And whatever happens happens."

The Arizona standout was on campus for Oregon's win over Colorado and loved having the chance to soak in the Autzen atmosphere.

"It was great. A lot more people know me that I thought. I'm walking down and I got fans screaming my name and it made me happy. I got fans screaming my name asking for  my autograph. That was a great thing."

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Oregon's newest commit said he likes to model his game after Myles Garrett, one of the best defensive players in the NFL.

"Just how he gets off the ball, his ball speed, and just his physical," Cumberland said. "He's very physical. And I feel I like to take pride in that about my game, about my ball speed and how physical I am. Because that gives me an edge on everyone else on the O-line that I'm going against."

While there's still a lot of time until he steps on campus and wears the green and yellow on Saturday's he's excited about the direction Dan Lanning is taking the Oregon program.

"I feel like he's taking his program to be the best we've been in years," he said. "We're 5-0. We're on the map. We're number 9. And I feel like he's probably one of the best college coaches out right now. Hopefully in the future we can add a national championship to his resume from Oregon."