Offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell is the nation’s top 2026 prospect, according to 247Sports. He is largely focused on offers from Big 10 and SEC schools. There is one big exception: Miami.
The Hurricanes caught Cantwell’s eye thanks to their ability to develop offensive linemen under coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, Cantwell said at the Under Armour All-America Game media day.
“Miami excites me a lot because they have an offensive-line-oriented head coach in Mario Cristobal,” Cantwell said. “I like coach Cristobal a lot. I think coach Mirabal is a top-five O-line coach in the country — even that could be a little bit subjective, where in that top five he would be — because he does a fantastic job. He’s been great developing (players). They always seem to have the right guys on the offensive line.”
Cantwell, a Missouri native and five-star prospect, visited Miami for UM’s win against Duke, and he was impressed with how the offensive line protected star quarterback Cam Ward.
“Cam Ward had all the time to do basically whatever he wanted in there,” Cantwell said. “He was rolling around for like 30 seconds. To be able to have a guy do that, you’ve got to have some good pass protection up front. They do a fantastic job.”
Cantwell, who is listed at 6-7.5 and 300 pounds, got an early offer from Miami’s staff in 2022, and communication picked up over the last two years.
“I talk to them a decent amount. It kind of came up a little bit recently,” Cantwell said. “They were one of the first ones to kind of jump in the boat. I’d say winter of 2022, and then I didn’t talk to them a whole lot after that. But then I kind of got back on with them in 2023, 2024. I just didn’t know when I’d be able to visit. I just got back down there, talked to them. I like what they do a lot. They seem to be a very close bunch. They’ve kind of known for a while they want to develop offensive linemen. They want to have a great offensive line. That’s some of the stuff that excites me about coach Cristobal.”
In other recruiting news, five-star 2026 defensive end Zion Elee said Miami’s staff reaches out to him “daily,” but since he is committed to Maryland, he has not been active in responding to them.
Although he picked the hometown Terrapins, he thinks highly of UM: “They’re great guys. They would love to build a connection with me. I know they actually wanted me on board.”
Four-star 2026 offensive lineman Keenyi Pepe said UM has been recruiting him since he was in middle school. The Bradenton IMG Academy standout likes how excited the staff seems to be to build a relationship with him.
“It’s great,” Pepe said. “They try to call me as much as possible. I’m always on FaceTime. When I call one coach, they put the whole coaching staff on.”
The Hurricanes have deep ties to four-star 2026 defensive lineman Prince Williams’ high school, Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman. Miami signed tight end Elija Lofton in 2024 and added offensive lineman SJ Alofaituli in this year’s class. Both prospects are friendly with the rising senior defensive lineman.
“I have a great relationship with (Lofton),” Williams said. “He was like a big brother and an idol for me when he was there at his time with Gorman. He just says a lot of great things from his personal experiences. … It’s just translating the same values that they teach us at Gorman — just hard work and discipline, the two main things that you need in football. He said that translates well over there.”
Williams also likes the family environment at Miami. Williams said defensive line coach Joe Salave’a reaches out to him and his parents frequently.
“He’s been keeping in touch with me daily, but not just me by myself, but also my parents, as well,” Williams said.
Five-star 2026 wide receiver Tristan Keys said he is looking for a high-powered, Air Raid-style offense. He is paying attention to UM after the Hurricanes notched the No. 1 offense in the nation this season.
The Mississippi native, who is the No. 2 receiver in the class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, visited Miami’s campus and liked it. He is hearing more from the coaching staff lately, and UM could crack his top 10.
“I’m interested,” Keys said. “I feel like it’s a great place, a great atmosphere. … I liked everything, from the trees to the atmosphere. All that. It was just fun. I feel like that’s kind of my area to be in; it’s a big place.”
