In a post on X on Thursday morning, former Miami All-American Bryant McKinnie stated to the top 2026 prospect Jackson Cantwell "Choosing the University of Miami was the best decision I’ve ever made—it fulfilled a lifelong dream. I came to The U with big goals, and I left having achieved even more."
McKinnie was a consensus All-American during the 2001 season, won the Outland Trophy honoring the best offensive lineman nationally and received 26 first-place votes while finishing eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Following his collegiate career, McKinnie played 12 seasons in the NFL.
McKinnie was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and the College Football HOF in 2023. Miami will induct McKinnie into its Ring of Honor this fall with his former teammates Ken Dorsey, Andre Johnson and Dan Morgan.
Cantwell is the top prospect in the class of 2026. There has been a lot of discussion surrounding Cantwell ahead of his May 13 commitment announcement. Georgia is the projected leader with a 73.7 percent chance for a commitment from Cantwell.
Cantwell responded to McKinnie by saying, "Thank you for your insight, appreciate it." Current Miami head coach Mario Cristobal was a graduate assistant with the Hurricanes from 1998 through 2000. McKinnie redshirted with Miami in 1999 and was named to some All-American teams in 2000.
With projected Miami starting tackles Markel Bell and Francis Mauigoa entering what is expected to be their final collegiate seasons, Cantwell would have an opportunity to play immediately for the Hurricanes as a true freshman in 2026. Cantwell could gain valuable insight from McKinnie about playing OT, at Miami and under Cristobal.
Cristobal and Miami OL coach Alex Mirabal have proven their ability to develop OL into NFL prospects. Penei Sewell, who played for Cristobal and Mirabal at Oregon, was the seventh pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and Mauigoa is projected to be picked in the first round in 2026.