Top 2026 prospect Jackson Cantwell says Miami recruiting him the hardest

Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, who is the top prospect in the 2026 class, was quoted saying Miami is recruiting him the hardest.
Nixa High School freshman Jackson Cantwell is a 6-foot-8 multi-sport athlete and has already scored a 33 on the ACT.Tixa Football0000
Nixa High School freshman Jackson Cantwell is a 6-foot-8 multi-sport athlete and has already scored a 33 on the ACT.Tixa Football0000 | Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK

The top prospect in the 2026 class, five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, told CaneSport Miami is recruiting him the hardest in an X post on Monday. Georgia is the prohibitive favorite with a 73.7 percent chance for a commitment from Cantwell per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

CaneSport is affiliated with On3. Miami is hosting Cantwell for an official visit this weekend, per his On3 profile page. Oregon is listed as hosting Cantwell the weekend of April 26 for his official visit and Michigan will host him June 13, per On3. Cantwell's commitment announcement is scheduled for May 13.

Miami is projected as a distant second for a commitment from Cantwell at 9.7 percent. Offensive line is a position of need for Miami in the 2026 class. Junior right tackle Francis Mauigoa is expected to leave for the 2026 NFL Draft and Miami is projected to start seniors at the other five OL positions.

Cantwell would almost certainly be an immediate starter for Miami as a true freshman in 2026. At 6'7 and 305 pounds already has ideal size. Cantwell's parents are both former Olympic shot putters, and he is one of the best high schoolers nationally in the event, per his On3 profile.

Miami is currently 11th in the On3 Industry Rankings for the 2026 class. The Hurricanes have commitments from four-star prospect Ben Congdon at OT in the 2026 class. Cantwell and Congdon would provide Miami with an elite pair to anchor the OL in the 2026 class.

The only 247Sports crystal ball logged for Cantwell is to Miami by Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U. Cantwell "projects as a high-major multi-year starter who could develop into a coveted pro prospect," per 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks.

A commitment from Cantwell would give Miami a five-star prospect in every full recruiting cycle under Mario Cristobal. Miami added five-star signees Mauigoa and OT Samson Okunlola in 2023, defensive tackle Justin Scott in 2024 and edge rusher Hayden Lowe in the 2025 class.

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