Miami Hurricanes making $2 million pitch to five-star prospect in effort to stave off Georgia
Context:
Mario Cristobal, head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, is making a substantial effort to recruit Jackson Cantwell, the nation's top offensive tackle prospect, by offering close to $2 million in NIL deals. Despite being from SEC territory, Cantwell is being heavily pursued by Miami to counter the interest from Georgia, a leading competitor. Cantwell has recognized Miami's persistent recruitment efforts, which include frequent communication and visits from Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal. Cantwell appreciates Cristobal's track record with offensive linemen and the priority Miami places on offensive line development. As a result, Miami is emerging as a strong contender for Cantwell's commitment, despite Georgia's current lead in the recruitment race.
Dive Deeper:
Mario Cristobal is leveraging his reputation as a top recruiting head coach to attract Jackson Cantwell, a highly sought-after five-star offensive tackle. Cantwell, standing at 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds, is from Nixa, Missouri, a region known for SEC dominance, where Georgia currently leads in his recruitment.
To compete with Georgia, Miami is offering Cantwell close to $2 million in NIL money, demonstrating their commitment to securing his talent. This financial incentive is part of a broader strategy to enhance Miami's appeal to top recruits.
Cantwell has acknowledged Miami's aggressive recruitment tactics, noting the daily communications and personalized approach from Cristobal and Mirabal. This relentless pursuit has made Miami a standout choice for Cantwell, who values the attention and dedication shown by the Miami staff.
Cristobal's personal history as a former offensive lineman and his focus on rebuilding Miami's offensive line are key selling points in their recruitment pitch. Cantwell appreciates this focus, especially since Miami is the only program with a head coach specializing in offensive line development.
The Hurricanes' commitment to strengthening their offensive line is evident, with projections indicating they will have a leading offensive line entering the 2025 season. This strategic emphasis aligns with Cantwell's aspirations and could sway his decision in Miami's favor.
Mario Cristobal, widely regarded as one of the top recruiting head coaches in the country, is making a serious push to land the nation’s No. 1 recruit, Jackson Cantwell.
But it won’t come easy.
Cantwell, a five-star offensive tackle listed at 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds, hails from Nixa, Missouri — right in the heart of SEC country. While that would seemingly make Missouri a natural contender, it’s Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs who currently lead the race.
Cantwell is scheduled to visit Georgia on May 10, just three days before his May 13 commitment date. Meanwhile, Cristobal is pulling out all the stops. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Miami is offering close to $2 million in NIL money to try and bring the towering lineman to Coral Gables.
Even Cantwell himself acknowledged Miami’s relentless pursuit.
“I’ll be honest, Miami is recruiting me the hardest right now,” Cantwell told On3’s Stephen Wagner.
Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal appear to be in near-daily contact with the five-star prospect. Cantwell received an in-home visit from Mirabal last Sunday, and he spoke glowingly of the coaching staff’s approach — particularly Cristobal’s track record with offensive linemen.
“Obviously that’s not the end-all be-all, but there’s something to be said for that,” Cantwell said. “I hear from coach Cristobal every day. I hear from coach Mirabal every day. Mario Cristobal has coached a lot of guys that play early. He’s very open to it. They prioritize O-line development. They’re the only program left in it for me that has an O-line guy as their head coach, so I know they’ll prioritize that.”
Cristobal, a former offensive lineman himself, has placed major emphasis on rebuilding the trenches since arriving at Miami in 2022. Entering the 2025 season, the Hurricanes are projected to have one of the top offensive lines in the country.
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