Miami lands top-ranked offensive recruit in OT Cantwell
Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell announced his commitment to Miami's 2026 class Tuesday.
Cantwell, a Missouri native, is the top-ranked offensive player and No. 3 overall recruit on the ESPN 300. Other recruit rankings consider the 6-foot-8, 315-pound lineman to be the top-rated prospect in the 2026 class.
The Hurricanes secured Cantwell's commitment over other finalists Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon. Miami offered a multi-year NIL deal worth more than $2 million annually, sources told ESPN's Eli Lederman.
Cantwell didn't surrender a sack over the last two seasons at Nixa High School, according to Jordan Divens of MaxPreps.
Miami made a favorable impression on Cantwell during his visit to the school in March. The blue-chip recruit said head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal were also factors in his decision.
"Relationships won out in the end," Cantwell said, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Cantwell added, "I know coach Mirabal and coach Cristobal have spent so much time recruiting me over the past year. They've texted me every day. Talked so much about offensive line development. Their history with guys like Penei Sewell, Francis Mauigoa, it's a place I can develop and be something great."
Cantwell becomes the Canes' highest-ranked commitment in the 2026 cycle and the program's fifth ESPN 300 pledge.