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Inside Canes Recruiting Podcast Breaking Down The Massive Jackson Cantwell Commitment

Gary-Ferman-Head-Shot 2by:Gary Ferman•05/13/25•

CaneSport

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Never count out the Miami Hurricanes. That was the message sent loud and clear by Mario Cristobal today that reverberated from coast to coast as UM beat out Georgia for No. 1 overall prospect Jackson Cantwell. The 6-8, 305-pound OT out of Nixa (MO) High School was coming off a visit to the Bulldogs, and just 24 hours ago had most predicting he’d land in Athens, Ga.

Not so fast.

Miami made a big move to pick up Cantwell’s commitment this afternoon, and as On3’s Pete Nakos reported the NIL cost was $2.5 million in Year 1 for Cantwell. He added that “sources have told On3 that the offer is a multi-year deal that escalates in salary annually.”

The combination of NIL and the opportunity to be coached by Cristobal and Alex Mirabal, who have a track record as outstanding offensive line developers, paid dividends.

With Cantwell a Cane, now it’s time for CaneSport’s reaction. So don’t miss what Gary Ferman, Izubee Charles and Stephen Wagner are saying on our Inside Canes Recruiting Podcast about the huge recruiting win.

It’s fair to say Miami was in shock-the-world mode today. And the hope is that will continue into the season as many are doubting this year’s UM team and putting them in the 20-25 range of preseason rankings. Cristobal’s added 19 portal pieces to help defy doubters this year, while also building for the future with guys like Cantwell, who perhaps we’ll rename to `Cantmiss,’ in terms of him as a prospect.

He’s the latest five-star Cristobal’s added to this Miami program, and the first overall No. 1 prospect since DJ Williams (as rated by at least one major recruiting service) all the way back in the Class of 2000.

Cristobal’s prior 5-stars at Miami? DE Hayden Lowe this past cycle, DT Justin Scott, DE Marquise Lightfoot and DE Armondo Blount in 2024, and OL Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola in 2023.

With Cantwell now on board, Francis Mauigoa’s replacement is here, a guy who can star at either LT or RT for multiple seasons.

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