Colorado State has apparently put the finishing touches on its 2006 recruiting class, and it did so by filling a position of desperate need--defensive tackle.

According to two news publications in Florida, the Orlando Sentinel and the St. Petersburg Times, Anthony Jones (6-2, 290 lb) from Tampa Jefferson High School has verbally committed to play for the Rams.

Jones was a three-year starter for the tradition-rich Jefferson Dragons, who played in the Class 3A state championship twice in the last four seasons. Jones came on strong as a junior and senior. During his junior year, he recorded 10 sacks and 50 tackles on a team that finished 10-4 and runner-up in Class 3A, finishing the year 10-4. The championship game was one to forget for the Dragons, however, as they yielded a state-record 573 yards in a 42-21 loss to Jacksonville Bolles. Jones was heralded as a silver lining in an otherwise up-and-down season defensively. Ironically, Jefferson competed against Parker, Colo.'s Ponderosa High School at Disney World in a "preseason" non-conference game that season, winning 41-15.

Jefferson, with a growing enrollment of 2,000 students, jumped to 4A in 2005. Heading into the season, the Tampa Tribune labeled Jones as the team's Fantastic Defender in the publication's prep football preview, and said the team's defensive struggles of 2004 were "not because of what was not happening up front". He compiled eight sacks and 70 tackles during his senior campaign, and was one of a dozen or so players being recruited by Division I schools. At the beginning of the football season, seven Jefferson players had already received Division I scholarship offers. Jones' teammate Daron Rose is one of the most sought after offensive line prospects in the nation.

Jones, meanwhile, spurned offers from San Diego State and Southern Miss to accept CSU's offer.

Jefferson assistant coach Lane McLaughlin told the St. Petersburg Times: "You can't overlook him when you look at the film. He plays the run-stopper role and to have that many sacks from his position is pretty good."

The commitment brings the number of known verbals to 23, and is believed to be the final commitment of CSU's class. Stay tuned for more information on Jones (phone calls to Jefferson head coach Mike Simmonds were not immediately returned Friday) and other recruits as we near the February 1 signing day and beyond.