Just six days after entering the transfer portal, Jaxson Jones, a former Oregon Duck has found his next school in the Utah Utes. The freshman edge rusher is one of four Ducks to enter the portal this December, and he’s the first to announce his commitment to his new team. Jones announced his commitment via Instagram.
As a 3-star recruit and the No. 7 ranked Arizona player in the class of 2024, Jones garnered interest from schools across the old Pac-12, including the Ducks and the Utes. Before committing to Oregon during his initial recruitment, Jones was committed to Washington for a few months.
Jones only saw the field once in his freshman season at Oregon, taking a defensive line snap against the Maryland Terrapins. Coming to Eugene with Jones was 5-star edge rusher and fellow Arizonan Elijah Rushing who took in-game reps much more often than Jones this season.
Rushing wasn’t the only one beating Jones out for playing time. In a program like Oregon’s, playing consistent snaps as a freshman is an exception rather than the rule. But, since most of the Ducks’ top edge rushers, such as Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, and Blake Purchase, are expected to return next season, it’s likely Jones would’ve become reacquainted with the bench if he stuck around.
In 2023, the Utah Utes defense was led by elite pass rusher Jonah Eliss, but after Eliss left for the NFL, the Utes were left without an elite pass rusher. Jones is still early in his development, but — with four years of eligibility left — a spot on Utah’s defense gives him a fantastic opportunity to blossom — if that’s what he’s destined for.
