Jackson Cantwell, freshman phenomenon from Nixa High School, is already turning heads—not just for his athleticism in multiple sports, but also for his impressive 33 ACT score.
On Tuesday, the recruiting world was shaken when the five-star offensive tackle announced his commitment to Miami, officially ending his recruitment. Georgia had been viewed as the clear front-runner, especially following a recent visit to Athens, but Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes ultimately won out.
This unexpected move marks one of the more surprising recruiting outcomes in recent years, given how heavily favored Georgia was in landing the top-ranked prospect.
Cantwell revealed that the relationships he built with Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal made all the difference. Their consistent communication and proven track record in developing offensive linemen—highlighting names like Penei Sewell and Francis Mauigoa—convinced him Miami was the right fit.
“Relationships were the key,” Cantwell said. “Coach Cristobal and Coach Mirabal were in touch constantly, showing how much they care about O-line development. I believe I can become something special with them.”
While Georgia fans—and recent commit Jared Curtis, a five-star quarterback—are undoubtedly disappointed, this is a massive recruiting win for Miami. Cantwell, currently ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle and the top overall prospect in the 2026 class by 247Sports Composite, chose Miami over Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon.
Though many in Athens may be left thinking about what might have been, Cantwell has made his decision clear—and the ACC, not the SEC, will be his home.
It’s been a week since five-star recruit Jackson Cantwell surprised the college football world by choosing to commit to Miami (FL) over Georgia. The decision caught many off guard, especially since most recruiting analysts believed Georgia was the favorite leading up to his announcement. Still, what matters now is that Cantwell has chosen to play in Miami.
The reaction from Georgia fans was largely negative, fueled by reports suggesting that Miami made a last-minute increase to its NIL offer, possibly influencing Cantwell’s decision. In response, Cantwell has denied that NIL played any role, and he’s not alone—others have since echoed that sentiment.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal recently defended Cantwell and, in doing so, may have indirectly taken a jab at Georgia fans and head coach Kirby Smart. Cristobal dismissed the surrounding speculation, saying, “You see all that noise and trash? There’s an example of what’s irrelevant in life.”
Was Cristobal’s comment justified? It appears to be a rebuttal to Smart, who had previously made a pointed remark that no freshman at Georgia would earn more than veteran players, a statement many interpreted as a subtle reference to Cantwell’s decision and Miami.
Though neither coach mentioned each other or their programs by name, the tension between them is clear. The broader college football community also largely assumes Cantwell’s choice was financially motivated.
While it’s unlikely that Cristobal or Smart will continue this exchange publicly, it’s notable to see two major conference coaches indirectly spar over a high-profile recruitment. In the end, both are well within their rights to defend their players and programs.