Last week, in a significant recruiting development, Jackson Cantwell, a five-star offensive tackle and the top-rated prospect in the 2026 class per 247Sports’ Composite rankings, pledged to Miami. The 6’7″, 325-pound standout from Nixa High School (MO) chose the Hurricanes over elite programs like Georgia, Oregon, and Ohio State.
Cantwell, who also claimed Missouri state titles in both shot put and discus, drew national attention with his decision. His commitment has stirred debate across college football, with many analyzing the significance of Miami landing a player of his stature and the specific influences that led him to Coral Gables over other traditional powers.
Inside Jackson Cantwell’s Miami Decision: The Real Reason He Chose The “U”
Five-star OT Jackson Cantwell, the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2026 class, detailed his commitment to Miami in a candid column for the Springfield News-Leader. The 6’7″, 325-pound Nixa (Mo.) standout turned down major schools after a deep recruiting process, citing a blend of personal connections and institutional values that set the Hurricanes apart.
“I could have gone anywhere in the country,” Cantwell wrote. “But at the end of the day, the genuineness, the emphasis on my position, and the campus and academic prestige only helped me make my decision.”
Cantwell emphasized the importance of the human element in his choice.
“Anyone can compare football stats from various schools,” he said. “Almost nobody can compare how the people there treat the players and how much they truly love playing at a university.”
He also noted that players he spoke with were genuinely happy in Coral Gables, a sentiment that stood out.
“Nobody I’ve talked to truly wants out of Miami,” Cantwell added.
While praising coaches across the board, including Oregon’s Dan Lanning and Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Cantwell said Miami’s staff ultimately won him and his family over.
“The amount of effort and objectiveness with which offensive line coach Alex Mirabal coaches is unmatched,” he said. “It meant the world to me and my family how hard they recruited us … they had a plan and thought highly of me.”
Cantwell said he appreciated the trust that developed with Miami’s coaching staff and respected the time they invested not just to secure his commitment but also to demonstrate a genuine belief in his potential.
“You can’t put a price on relationships,” he wrote. “Miami is the place for me.”
He also acknowledged the chip on the program’s shoulder, saying he admired the team’s determination to silence critics.
“They’re going to prove any doubters wrong,” he said. “I take pride in how many doubters there truly are. Penei Sewell was doubted for committing to Miami coach Mario Cristobal and Mirabal.”
Cantwell, a state champion in both shot put and discus, said that while sports agent Drew Rosenhaus assured him compensation wouldn’t be an issue, happiness was a greater priority.
“I knew I would be happy with my situation at Miami,” he wrote. “It’s all about the ‘U.’”
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