Where Jackson Cantwell ranks among highest Miami prospects in program history

Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, the top prospect in the 2026 class and committed to Miami on Tuesday, is the second-highest-ranked commit or signee in program history. Linebacker D.J. Williams, who signed with Miami in 2000, is the only commit or signee in Miami history ranked higher than Cantwell.

Williams was a key versatile player who was a fullback with the Hurricanes in 2000, a starting linebacker on the 2001 national championship team and a 2022 inductee into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. The Denver Broncos selected Williams with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft and he had an 11-year career.

Williams is the only other player in Miami history who was the top prospect in his class. Williams had a grade of .9998 as a prospect and Cantwell is at .9995. The commitment from Cantwell gives Miami a five-star commit or signee in each of the four full classes under Mario Cristobal.

The previous five-star Miami prospects under Cristobal are offensive linemen Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola in 2023, defensive tackle Justin Scott in 2024 and edge rusher Hayden Lowe in 2025. Mauigoa is expected to leave after the 2025 season for the 2026 NFL Draft.

The commitment from Cantwell elevated Miami to a consensus top 10 class. Miami has had a top 15 class in all three full cycles under Cristobal. Miami signed the seventh-best class in 2023 in the 247Sports Composite rankings, the fourth-best class in 2024 and was 13th in the 2025 class.

Cristobal is regarded as one of the most elite recruiters in college football nationally. Expect Miami to continue adding some of the best prospects in program history with Cristobal as the head coach. Miami has continually signed elite lineman under Cristobal.