Jackson Cantwell Reveals Why He Chose Miami Football Over Georgia Bulldogs Despite National Attention and Family Ties to SEC Power

Jackson Cantwell isn’t your typical high school football recruit. The 6-foot-8, 300-pound offensive tackle out of Nixa High School in Missouri was courted by nearly every college football powerhouse in the country. From Alabama to Ohio State, and from Michigan to Oregon, Cantwell had his pick of the litter. But when the dust finally settled, Cantwell announced he was taking his talents to South Beach. Not to Georgia, not to the SEC where his father starred, but to the University of Miami—a decision that surprised many but made perfect sense to him.

The commitment sent ripples across the college football landscape. Georgia, the perennial SEC titan and two-time College Football Playoff National Champion, had been widely considered the front-runner for Cantwell’s services. After all, his father, John Cantwell, played in the SEC. The Bulldogs had long-standing connections with the family, and their recent track record in developing NFL-ready offensive linemen was virtually unmatched.

But for Jackson, the decision was about more than just legacy or past success. It was about fit, vision, and opportunity. In an exclusive interview following his commitment, Cantwell opened up about the factors that influenced his final choice and what led him to spurn one of college football’s elite programs in favor of the Hurricanes.

“I have so much respect for Georgia and what they’ve built,” Cantwell said. “They were upfront with me throughout the process and treated me like family. But at the end of the day, I had to ask myself where I truly saw myself growing the most—not just as a football player, but as a person.”

That question led him to Coral Gables, where head coach Mario Cristobal has been working diligently to rebuild the Hurricanes into a national power. A former offensive lineman himself, Cristobal has made no secret of his emphasis on line play, pouring significant resources into developing trenches on both sides of the ball.

“I had some incredible conversations with Coach Cristobal,” Cantwell said. “He knows what it takes to get to the next level and he’s built a staff that’s totally aligned with his vision. The way they see the offensive line—how they coach it, how they prioritize it—it really resonated with me.”

Cantwell also spoke at length about Miami’s investment in player development and academic support, two areas he said often go overlooked by fans but are paramount in a recruit’s final decision.

“I want to be a great football player, obviously, but I also want to be in an environment where I can grow off the field,” Cantwell said. “Miami offered me that. They showed me the support systems they have in place for academics, mental health, career planning—all that matters. They see their players as people, not just athletes.”

Still, the decision wasn’t easy. Cantwell admitted that the pull of Georgia and the SEC was strong. Having grown up around SEC football, he understood the prestige that came with playing in stadiums like Sanford, Neyland, and Tiger Stadium. And with Georgia’s history of sending offensive linemen to the NFL, the Bulldogs’ pitch practically wrote itself.

“Of course I thought about that,” Cantwell acknowledged. “Georgia’s a machine right now. They’re sending guys to the league every year. But when I looked at Miami, I saw an opportunity to help build something. That really excited me. I’m not just joining a great team—I’m helping create one.”

There’s a certain boldness in that mindset. It’s not unlike what we’ve seen from other top recruits who’ve opted to blaze their own trail rather than follow the beaten path. In the age of NIL and the transfer portal, players are increasingly thinking about their brand, their role in a program’s identity, and the opportunity to make an immediate impact. Cantwell fits that mold.

He also mentioned Miami’s academic reputation and the city’s diversity as factors that helped sway his decision. A self-described “student of life,” Cantwell said he’s looking forward to immersing himself in the culture and exploring opportunities off the field as much as on it.

“Being in Miami—it’s different,” he said with a smile. “You’re surrounded by different people, different languages, different stories. That excites me. I want to be challenged. I want to grow. I think this is a place that will push me in all the right ways.”

As for the on-field fit, Cantwell pointed to Miami’s offensive scheme and need at the tackle position as immediate selling points. With multiple upperclassmen expected to depart after this season, the Hurricanes are in need of elite talent on the offensive line. Cantwell could find himself in the rotation early in his collegiate career, a possibility that Georgia couldn’t necessarily guarantee given their depth chart.

“Playing early wasn’t the top priority, but it’s definitely a factor,” Cantwell said. “I’m a competitor. I want to get on the field. Miami’s giving me the chance to earn that right.”

His commitment is a massive win for Cristobal, who continues to make waves on the recruiting trail despite mixed on-field results in recent seasons. Cantwell becomes one of the highest-rated offensive linemen to commit to Miami in over a decade, and his decision could help swing momentum for the Hurricanes as they aim to reassert themselves in the ACC and beyond.

For Cantwell, though, the recruiting rankings and hype are secondary to the work ahead. He knows that commitment is just the first step in a long journey. He’s already begun preparing for the transition to college ball, working with private coaches, fine-tuning his technique, and building out his strength and conditioning program.

“There’s a long way to go,” he said. “I haven’t done anything yet. All I’ve done is choose a school. Now it’s time to prove I belong.”

His focus, discipline, and humility come as no surprise to those who know him best. Coaches rave about his work ethic and football IQ. Teachers describe him as intellectually curious and highly engaged. For Cantwell, success is about consistency—stacking good days, being coachable, and showing up with purpose.

“I’m just trying to get 1% better every day,” he said. “That’s the mindset. Whether it’s football, school, or anything else, I want to be better than I was the day before.”

That attitude will serve him well at Miami, where expectations are high and the margin for error is slim. The Hurricanes haven’t truly returned to national prominence since the early 2000s, but with players like Cantwell now in the fold, there’s hope that change is on the horizon.

Cantwell’s choice also sends a message—that Miami can go toe-to-toe with the SEC powers and win key recruiting battles. It’s a shot of credibility for Cristobal and a potential sign of a cultural shift taking root in Coral Gables.

As for Georgia, the Bulldogs will undoubtedly move on. Their recruiting machine is still humming, and they remain a destination program for elite talent across the country. But missing out on a player of Cantwell’s caliber stings, especially given the connections and groundwork laid throughout his recruitment.

In the end, though, Jackson Cantwell followed his gut. He chose growth over comfort, vision over tradition, and the chance to be part of a renaissance rather than just another chapter in an already great story.

“It came down to where I could make the biggest impact,” he said. “And for me, that place is Miami.”