Jackson Cantwell, the nation’s top recruit and five-star offensive tackle, has committed to the Georgia Bulldogs over Ohio State, Miami, and Oregon.

In a seismic win on the recruiting trail, the Georgia Bulldogs have secured the commitment of Jackson Cantwell, the nation’s top overall prospect and the premier offensive tackle in the 2025 class. After a hard-fought recruiting battle against Ohio State, Miami, and Oregon, the five-star phenom officially pledged his allegiance to Kirby Smart’s program on Friday afternoon — sending shockwaves through the college football world.

Cantwell’s decision represents not only a major coup for Georgia but also a signal that the Bulldogs have no intention of surrendering their grip on college football’s elite. It’s a defining moment that reinforces Smart’s reputation as perhaps the sport’s most dominant recruiter and sets Georgia up for continued dominance deep into the future.

Standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 330 pounds, Cantwell has been a household name in recruiting circles since his sophomore year. Hailing from Nixa High School in Missouri, Cantwell is a rare blend of size, athleticism, and technical polish. Recruiting services have been nearly unanimous: he’s the best player in America, regardless of position, and one of the most complete offensive tackle prospects the sport has seen in years.

“It’s rare you find someone his size that moves like a tight end,” said one Power Five scout earlier this spring. “Cantwell’s footwork, punch timing, and natural bend are already at a college level. He’s got first-round NFL pick written all over him.”

Throughout the process, Cantwell commanded the attention of every blue-blood program in the country. His top four — Georgia, Ohio State, Miami, and Oregon — fought a fierce battle down the stretch. Each school made compelling pitches, offering the promise of immediate playing time, NFL development, and championship contention. In the end, though, it was Georgia’s unmatched track record at developing elite linemen and competing for national championships that won the day.

Cantwell’s decision didn’t come lightly. Sources close to his recruitment say he spent months agonizing over the choice, visiting campuses, studying offensive line coaching pedigrees, and analyzing roster depth charts. Ultimately, it became clear that Georgia had the right combination of factors he was looking for.

“I chose Georgia because it felt like family,” Cantwell said during his commitment announcement. “The way Coach Smart runs the program, the development they offer, the standard they hold you to every day — that’s where I want to be. I want to be challenged by the best, with the best.”

Offensive line coach Stacy Searels also played a pivotal role. Known for his player relationships and technical coaching acumen, Searels made Cantwell feel like a priority from day one. Smart’s vision — building a sustainable dynasty around physicality in the trenches — resonated deeply with the physically imposing tackle.

Georgia’s recent history of sending offensive linemen to the NFL also loomed large. Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wynn, Jamaree Salyer, Broderick Jones — the list of Bulldogs linemen turning into first-round picks is lengthy, and Cantwell fully intends to add his name to it.

For Ohio State, Miami, and Oregon, Cantwell’s decision represents a crushing loss. All three programs had made him a top priority and believed at various points they had the inside track.

Ohio State, with offensive line coach Justin Frye leading the charge, had positioned itself as perhaps Georgia’s stiffest competition down the stretch. The Buckeyes had wowed Cantwell with a strong official visit and the program’s history of producing NFL tackles like Paris Johnson Jr. and Nicholas Petit-Frere.

Miami, led by Mario Cristobal — himself a former offensive lineman — pitched a vision of building a championship-caliber offensive line around Cantwell’s talent. Oregon sold him on the idea of being a cornerstone for their Big Ten transition.

Still, despite compelling pitches from all sides, Georgia’s consistency and pedigree proved too much to overcome.

“It’s devastating, no other way to put it,” one rival assistant said anonymously. “We felt good a month ago. Georgia just closes at a level nobody else is touching right now.”

On the field, Cantwell projects as an instant-impact player for Georgia, even within a crowded and talented offensive line room. With starting left tackle Earnest Greene IV likely heading to the NFL after the 2025 season, there could be a natural opening for Cantwell to slide into early playing time as a true freshman.

Even if he doesn’t start immediately, Cantwell’s size and polish make it likely he’ll be too good to keep off the field for long. Georgia thrives on physicality at the point of attack, and Cantwell’s ability to maul defenders in the run game while offering elite pass protection fits the Bulldogs’ identity perfectly.

“He’s got the potential to be a multi-year All-American, a team captain, and a top-five NFL Draft pick,” said one SEC coach familiar with Cantwell’s game. “Georgia is getting a foundational player.”

Cantwell’s commitment also carries symbolic weight. It’s one thing to land the top offensive tackle in the country. It’s another to do so by beating out top competitors in a national battle — and pulling him out of a state (Missouri) that lies far outside Georgia’s typical recruiting footprint.

For Kirby Smart, Cantwell’s commitment is just the latest trophy in an astonishing run of recruiting dominance. Since taking over at Georgia in 2016, Smart has built arguably the deepest, most talented roster in the nation — a blueprint that has yielded two national championships and multiple College Football Playoff appearances.

This 2025 cycle is shaping up to be another monster for the Bulldogs. With Cantwell in the fold, Georgia now holds verbal commitments from four five-star prospects and is firmly in the mix for several others.

Recruiting experts believe Georgia could finish with the No. 1 class once again — a terrifying proposition for the rest of college football.

“Kirby’s built a machine that’s bigger than just one season or one player,” said Rivals.com recruiting analyst Adam Gorney. “Getting Cantwell is a big-time flex. But it’s also what we’ve come to expect from Georgia.”

Cantwell’s decision could have major ripple effects across the recruiting landscape. It solidifies Georgia’s grip on elite offensive line recruiting and may influence other top prospects to follow suit.

Several five-star offensive linemen and skill players are known to be close with Cantwell, and his commitment could serve as a magnet for further talent.

“Top players want to play with other top players,” said 247Sports recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong. “Don’t be surprised if Jackson’s decision leads to a mini-run of commitments for Georgia over the next few weeks.”

Already, whispers are circulating that fellow five-star tackle Michael Fasusi and top-ranked guard Ty Haywood are giving Georgia even stronger consideration following Cantwell’s decision.

For Georgia fans, Cantwell’s commitment is cause for celebration — and confirmation that the Bulldogs are not resting on their laurels. In an era where NIL, transfer portals, and constant change define the sport, Smart has found a way to keep Georgia not just competitive, but dominant.

Landing Jackson Cantwell is the type of moment that defines an era. He’s not just a five-star. He’s not just the No. 1 overall player. He’s the kind of athlete you build an entire offensive line — and an entire championship run — around.

As Cantwell said himself in his announcement, “I’m coming to Athens to be the best I can be — to compete for national championships, to earn a degree, and to leave a legacy.”

If he fulfills even a fraction of the sky-high expectations placed upon him, Jackson Cantwell may very well do just that.