Jackson Cantwell, the Miami Hurricanes' future left tackle, is closing his high school career as one of the most decorated players in the country. The senior and Miami signee Cantwell has been named the 2025-26 Gatorade Missouri Football Player of the Year and one of three finalists for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.
Cantwell is finalist for Gatorade National Football Player of the Year
And an offensive lineman up for National Player of the Year?
— Jackson Cantwell (@jcantwell2499) December 5, 2025
That would be a first… Why not now!#NSGB @CoachMirabal @coach_cristobal @jperry_nixa @CoachMedley66 https://t.co/xL8M2JjjFy
Cantwell is joined on the national finalist list by Texas linebacker signee Tyler Atkinson of Grayson (Ga.) and Richmond Randle (Texas) junior running back Landen Williams-Callis, who was recently named Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year.
Atkinson, a Texas signee, posted 91 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 11 games this season and finished his career with 553 tackles. Williams-Callis, a 2027 running back, has rushed for 2,885 yards and 48 touchdowns this fall and has more than 3,000 all-purpose yards.
At the time of his selection, Cantwell has led Nixa to a 13-0 record and a berth in the Missouri Class 6 state championship game. He anchored an offensive line that cleared the way for an offense averaging 45.8 points per game and 9.7 yards per play, and he piled up 173 pancake blocks in just 13 games.
Blessed to be Gatorade Player of the Year for Missouri the second year in a row. Thankful to my coaches and teammates for helping me get to this point!
— Jackson Cantwell (@jcantwell2499) December 5, 2025
Let’s go win state now. #NSGB #GatoradePOY #GPOY pic.twitter.com/nxq4Syrg5i
This is also Cantwell's second straight year in the award spotlight. Gatorade first named him Missouri Football Player of the Year in 2024-25, when he was also a finalist for the national honor. He is also a two-time Gatorade Missouri Boys Track & Field Player of the Year and a multi-time state shot put champion.
Miami has treated him as their highest priority from day one. Cantwell committed to the Hurricanes in May after a late push from Georgia, then shut down his recruitment and only visited Miami after his verbal commitment.