University of Miami Sports Hall of Famer Vince Wilfork played a role in five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell committing to Miami on Tuesday. In an interview with Wyatt D. Wheeler of the Springfield News-Leader, Cantwell discussed the conversation he had with Wilfork.
Cantwell won the national championship in the shot put in 2024 and is also a nationally ranked discus thrower. Cantwell's parents, Christian and Teri (Steer), are former Olympians in the shot put. Christian Cantwell won multiple gold and silver medals at global competitions, including being the runner-up at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Wilfork was the state runner-up in Florida in the discus and shot put in high school. At Miami, Wilfork broke the indoor shot put record of 7.05 meters (55’- 11.25”) that stood from 2001 through 2013. Wheeler stated that Cantwell said Wilfork told him that he does not recruit on Miami's behalf often.
Wilfork praised Mario Cristobal, according to Cantwell. Cristobal, a Miami graduate assistant in his first job as a coach from 1998 through 2000, just missed Wilfork, who played with the Hurricanes from 2001 to 2003. Cantwell relayed to Wheeler what he discussed with Wilfork.
"He told me that he used to not tell players to go there because it wasn't very good before...Once (Mario) Cristobal got there, he said he feels confident in telling guys to do it because he has the culture back and that there's a fantastic thing going on there.... I might try to get Vince to maybe, kindly, tell Coach Cristobal that it'd be a great thing for me to do (throw the shot put)...He can do it in whatever way he chooses, but I'll let him handle that."Miami 2026 commit Jackson Cantwell
Cristobal played at Miami from 1989 through 1992 and was on two national championship teams. Miami has improved the talent on the roster under Cristobal. Cantwell provides Miami with a five-star prospect in their class for the third straight class.
Miami signed offensive linemen Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola in 2023 and edge rushers Marquis Lightfoot in 2024 and Hayden Lowe in 2025. With Mauigoa expected to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, Cantwell will likely start as a true freshman in 2026.
Miami has improved in each season with Cristobal as head coach. The Hurricanes were 5-7 in their first season under Cristobal in 2022, 7-6 in 2023, and 10-3 in 2024. The addition of Cantwell is expected to keep Miami's elite on the offensive line. When he was hired in December 2021, Cristobal stated he would build his roster from the inside out.
Cantwell will be the second generation of prospects for Miami under Cristobal, with Mauigoa likely moving on after the 2026 season. Cantwell's commitment sets a foundation in the 2026 Miami class. Cantwell can help recruit more 2026 prospects and assist Cristobal in setting the foundation.