One of the most highly sought-after offensive line recruits in the Class of 2026 has made a decision after his upcoming senior season.
Jackson Cantwell, a 5-star offensive tackle from Nixa, Mo., announced on Tuesday that he has verbally committed to play at the University of Miami. Cantwell chose the Hurricanes over several high-profile programs including Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon during a ceremony at Nixa High School, which is located several miles south of Springfield in southwestern Missouri.
Jackson Cantwell commits to the Miami Hurricanes. pic.twitter.com/MMzbIpEIUa
— Grant (@NMDgrant) May 13, 2025
A primary reason Cantwell eventually decided on Miami was his relationship with the coaching staff, specifically head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal.
“Miami excites me a lot because they have an offensive-line oriented coach in Mario Cristobal,” Cantwell said in an interview on the recruiting website On3.com.
“I think Coach Mirabal is a top five O-line coach in the country. … He does a fantastic job. He does a great (job) developing. They always seem to have the right guys on the offensive line.”
Cantwell, who goes 6-foot-7 and weighs approximately 315 pounds, is considered the top-ranked offensive tackle recruit in the country and also perhaps the No. 1 high school player in the country.
His commitment lands Miami currently into the Top 10 of the Class of ’26 cycle by various recruiting sites. No doubt it was a major victory for the Hurricanes and for Cristobal in particular.
In fact, it was reported that Cristobal - who is currently attending the ACC spring meetings - let out a loud, emphatic yell that was audibly heard by others once he found out about Cantwell’s commitment.
Here's Mario Cristobal celebrating the commitment of 5-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell here at ACC spring meetings. (via @AslanHodges)pic.twitter.com/KuZrTgt8vn
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) May 13, 2025