The Miami Hurricanes are gearing up for an even more successful season than last year. Carson Beck is looking to lead the charge, but the future still needs to be assessed.
On Tuesday, Miami landed a major recruiting win, beating out Georgia for the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2026 cycle. Jackson Cantwell announced his commitment to the Hurricanes yesterday afternoon. While rumors circulated that Cantwell chose Miami because of an NIL deal worth over $2 million, he was quick to shut down that narrative when asked about it by DawgNation.
“I think my response to it is it’s not the same narrative people like Pete Nakos are pushing right now,” Cantwell said. “I think there’s just a false narrative that that’s why I’m choosing. I think relationships won out with Miami. That was kind of what did it for me. I mean, they spent the most time with me. They put the most effort into recruiting me.”
Regardless of whether the NIL rumors are true, Cantwell is headed to Coral Gables to play for the Hurricanes. A day later, Brandon Adams of DawgNation called Cantwell out for refusing to discuss his contract after denying the reports.
“You don't get to say [Pete Nakos] reporting about my contract is a false narrative... but then when you're provided the opportunity to clarify some of those details: 'My contract is confidential,’” Adams said.
Adams may be speaking out as a Georgia supporter, but he raises a fair point—Cantwell’s refusal to elaborate after dismissing the report comes off as inconsistent. Still, not everyone is convinced the NIL deal played a role. JD Pickell pushed back on the assumption.
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“A lot of people are going to be toxic and bitter and say, ‘Well, he just chose Miami because they probably threw a bag at him, right?’” Pickell said. “If it was about money, anybody could have paid him.”
With NIL deals now a major part of college football, it’s no surprise players are securing big contracts. And if Cantwell did land the reported amount, he certainly wouldn’t be the first.