Jackson Cantwell finished No. 3 in Rivals' final Rivals300 rankings for the 2026 class, which is obviously elite. But it also still feels low for a prospect who checks every box and is headed to a Miami program that just played for a national title.
Cantwell, a 6-foot-8 offensive tackle from Nixa, Mo., has been at the top of every major recruiting service for two years, including as the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2026 ESPN 300. And while the difference between No. 1 and No. 3 is often just evaluator preference, Cantwell's case is that he's not just the best tackle in the class. He might be the most ready-made, plug-and-play prospect in the entire class. Miami was seven points away from being the national champions and Cantwell might just start on day one for the Hurricanes.
🚨NEW🚨 Miami OT signee Jackson Cantwell ranks No. 3 and five-stars in the final 2026 Rivals300🙌https://t.co/lK2bMAJRP8 pic.twitter.com/5r30FFxLH9
— Rivals (@Rivals) January 27, 2026
"Jackson Cantwell is a big-framed offensive tackle with eye-popping athleticism and functional strength as a high school underclassman. Measured at over 6-foot-7, 205 pounds prior to his sophomore season. Has solid length with 33.5-inch arms and big hands. Owns a phenomenal athletic profile as one of the top shot put throwers in the country for his age group. Posted a personal best throw of over 64 feet as a freshman. Also posted strong testing numbers in the college camp setting. Transfers those gifts over to the football field where he shows strong coordination and function strength. Moves well laterally and plays with a good anchor. Initially began his career as a tight end and has grown into an offensive tackle. Has deep athletic bloodlines with both parents being Olympic track and field athletes as throwers."Charles Power, Rivals
Miami commit Jackson Cantwell is an elite prospect
In late July, Cantwell posted video of himself bench pressing 225 pounds 32 times, which would have tied for second at the NFL scouting combine that year.
Cantwell is the son of former Olympic shot-putters Christian Cantwell (a silver medalist at the 2008 Beijing Games) and Teri Steer. Cantwell also holds multiple national high school throwing records and is expected to continue track and field in college.
Cantwell was named the 2025-26 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year. He logged 173 pancake blocks while anchoring an offense that averaged 45.8 points per game and 9.7 yards per play entering the Missouri Class 6 state championship game. Nixa finished 12-1 this past season and his senior class went 47-5 across four years with three district titles and two state runner-up finishes.
Now, he still isn't guaranteed to start as a true freshman. Miami will not hand anyone a job. But Cantwell has the rare mix of size, power, pedigree and proven impact that makes him not only an elite college prospect, but one that will also be playing on Sundays in the future.