Top 2026 Recruit Jackson Cantwell Commits to Miami Over Georgia
The No. 1 prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, has officially committed to Miami (FL). Just days ago, Cantwell was projected to choose Georgia, but momentum shifted rapidly, with reports surfacing Monday evening that the Hurricanes were making a late push.
While many factors likely influenced Cantwell’s decision, Miami’s reported NIL offer—believed to be around $2 million for his freshman season—may have tipped the scales. Sources also indicated that Georgia and other finalists made comparable offers, but Miami’s final pitch appears to have made the biggest impact.
Given that Georgia was considered the frontrunner just 24 hours prior, it’s likely Miami significantly increased its offer at the last minute to secure the commitment.
Despite the loss, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart may not be too disappointed.
“Yeah, I want to see the fire. I want to see the passion, the energy,” Smart told 247Sports. “I want to see who wants to be a good football player, who really cares about this game. They care more about the game than they do about their NIL revenue stream.”
While Smart surely wanted Cantwell in Athens, he may find some solace if the primary motivation was NIL money. Georgia’s culture emphasizes team-first values over financial incentives—a philosophy that has helped deliver two SEC titles and national championships during the NIL era.
For Georgia fans, there’s little reason to worry. With Smart at the helm, the Bulldogs have thrived—and likely will continue to—regardless of the occasional high-profile recruiting loss.
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