No. 1 College Football Recruit Sends Clear Message After Declining Georgia
Jackson Cantwell, the nation's No. 1 overall recruit for the Class of 2026, surprised many on Tuesday when he announced his commitment to the University of Miami.
In the process, he spurned heavy favorites Georgia and Oregon for what he described as 'the best situation for me to grow and develop, not only on the field as an offensive lineman but as a person'.
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On3's Hayes Fawcett also noted how Cantwell credited head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line guru Alex Mirabal, whom he called the best developer of offensive linemen in college football, as the driving force behind his decision.
Standing at 6-foot-8 in and weighing in around 315 pounds, Cantwell has dominated both the football field and the shot-put circle at Nixa High School in Missouri.
In 2024, he set a national sophomore record with a 74.975-ft throw and earned Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year honors in both football and track & field.
Rated a five-star by On3, 247Sports, and Rivals, and even carrying On3's highest 'Plus+' designation, Cantwell was the most coveted lineman in the country.
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.© John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Miami, which finished the 2024 season 10-3 under Cristobal, saw its campaign end in heartbreak fashion with a 42-41 loss to No. 18 Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
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Despite that setback, the Hurricanes climbed as high as No. 4 in the polls during the regular season behind Heisman finalist quarterback Cam Ward.
Cantwell's commitment marks a seismic shift in the college football landscape, signaling that Miami is back in the national title conversation.
Related: Alabama Football Reacts to Major Announcement on Saturday
Related: Syracuse Football Makes Historic Fran Brown Announcement on Monday
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