Nebraska HC Matt Rhule in to see 2026 Five-Star Plus+ OT Jackson Cantwell

Nebraska is on a bye this weekend and head coach Matt Rhule is getting back out on the recruiting trail. The Cornhuskers’ skipper is in Missouri to see one of the nation’s top prospects on Friday night.

Nixa (Mo.) Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell is the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, and the 6-foot-7.5 trench monster is leading the Eagles into playoff action.

Rhule is on the sidelines to get an in-person look at the dominant junior as Nixa takes on Ozark:

Nebraska HC Matt Rhule is in attendance to see 2026 Five-Star Plus+ OT Jackson Cantwell🌽

(📸: @NixaFootball)https://t.co/7YlQ192Rni pic.twitter.com/6wBn30USAx

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) November 9, 2024

Nebraska is one of the early top contenders for Cantwell, who has been back to Lincoln for a visit this fall. Cantwell’s mother grew up near Lincoln so there are ties between the school and the elite tackle.

“Nebraska’s a pretty cool place. Not only is it a regional college, but we also kind of have ties to that area. They’ve got a lot of stuff going right over there, they’re definitely an up-and-coming program, which sounds weird to say from where they were, but now Nebraska’s kind of on their way back up again, just because of the culture they’re building and what they’re doing there,” Cantwell said in an interview with On3 last month.

“I like Donovan Raiola’s vision, as far as the offensive line goes, I think he’s doing a good job with those guys. I think that team will do really, really well in due time, you’ve just got to get all the guys in. You’ve got the quarterback now, now they’ve got to figure out the rest of it and I think that’s what’s coming in the next couple of years.”

Cantwell has been busy this fall, also visiting the likes of Alabama, Georgia and Miami. Missouri is also in the mix as the in-state school.

“I’m open to playing basically anywhere, but what I’ve figured out is two groups of schools for me: national powerhouses and then like local schools that I like a lot that are trending up as well,” Cantwell previously said.

So far in the 2026 cycle, Nebraska has a pair of commitments from Buford (Ga.) three-star quarterback Dayton Raiola and Sioux Falls (S.D.) Washington three-star wide receiver Dveyoun Bonwell-Witte.

Jackson Cantwell Scouting Summary

On3 writes this of Cantwell as a prospect:

“Big-framed offensive tackle with eye-popping athleticism and functional strength as a high school underclassman. Measured at over 6-foot-7, 205 pounds prior to his sophomore season. Has solid length with 33.5-inch arms and big hands. Owns a phenomenal athletic profile as one of the top shot put throwers in the country for his age group. Posted a personal best throw of over 64 feet as a freshman. Also posted strong testing numbers in the college camp setting. Transfers those gifts over to the football field where he shows strong coordination and function strength. Moves well laterally and plays with a good anchor. Initially began his career as a tight end and has grown into an offensive tackle. Has deep athletic bloodlines with both parents being Olympic track and field athletes as throwers. Younger for the cycle with a May birthday.”