Jackson Cantwell, the nation’s premier offensive tackle in the 2026 recruiting class, has been making significant strides in his college selection process. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-8 and weighing 320 pounds, Cantwell’s athletic prowess is undeniable. His recent visits to Ohio State and Michigan have further intensified the competition among top-tier programs vying for his commitment.
In December 2024, Cantwell embarked on visits to both Ohio State and Michigan, two powerhouses of the Big Ten conference. Reflecting on his time in Ann Arbor, Cantwell expressed his appreciation, stating, “I enjoyed it. It was a fun visit. We did lots of cool stuff. I learned more about how I would develop on and off the field there; we talked some ball. I really enjoyed it.”
The visit to Columbus also left a positive impression on Cantwell. He remarked, “It is always fun to visit there. I got to meet a lot of cool coaches. Coach [Ryan] Day, coach [Chip] Kelly [OC], and coach [Justin] Frye [OL], are great dudes. I got to experience a lot of what the Ohio State guys do daily. I saw inside the program and learned more about why they do what they do. It was cool to see that.”
Cantwell’s recruitment journey has been extensive. Since January 2024, he has visited several campuses, including Georgia, Nebraska, Missouri, USC, and Oregon. By July 2024, he had narrowed his list of potential schools to 14, featuring prominent programs such as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas A&M, and USC.
Family ties have played a significant role in Cantwell’s considerations. His mother, Teri Steer, was born in Crete, Nebraska, and grew up near Lincoln. This connection has made Nebraska a compelling option for Cantwell. He shared, “Nebraska is a pretty cool place in that not only is it a regional college but we also have kind of ties in that area.”
Missouri also holds a special place in Cantwell’s heart, as his father attended the university. He acknowledged, “There’s only really two schools I have a lot of ties to and my dad went to Missouri so that’d be the other one.”
As of December 2024, Cantwell has been in consistent communication with several programs, including Missouri, Georgia, Texas A&M, Nebraska, LSU, Michigan, and Ohio State. He mentioned, “Pretty much all of them… There’s not one reaching out more than the others.”
Looking ahead, Cantwell plans to further narrow his list of potential schools. He aims to reduce his options to six to eight programs by February 2025, stating, “I will go down to six to eight, I’m guessing, in February. I will see what that looks like in a little bit.”
The recruitment of Jackson Cantwell is a testament to his exceptional talent and the high regard in which he is held by top college football programs. As he continues to evaluate his options, the football community eagerly awaits his decision, recognizing the significant impact he will have at the collegiate level.