Recruit at center of NIL arguments

Since committing to the Miami Hurricanes football program, Nixa offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell has been the source of much online argument because of national reports of what he’ll receive in Name, Image and Likeness compensation.

Some reporters covering the Hurricanes’ football program believe such reports of his compensation resulted from intentional leaks by the other programs pursuing the top-ranked recruit. Cantwell’s family has downplayed the extent of the compensation and its impact on his decision to commit to the Hurricanes.

“It’s just a blessing to get paid to play the game I love,” Cantwell said Tuesday when asked directly about NIL, while also praising the work done by his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. “There are so many people who dream about getting to do that. The NFL is usually the end-goal, and it is for me as well.”

Jackson Cantwell calls out national college football reporter

National college football reporter Pete Nakos of On3 Sports reported a week before Cantwell’s decision that Miami had offered him a $2 million NIL deal, which was said to be the most of any school.

While Cantwell talked up his relationship with the Miami coaching staff and its ability to develop offensive linemen into NFL prospects, the report still led many to believe the only reason Cantwell picked Miami over schools like Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State was because of money.

In a one-on-one interview with DawgNation, a Georgia website that attended Cantwell’s commitment, Cantwell called out Nakos for the report.

“It’s not the same narrative that people like Pete Nakos are pushing right now,” Cantwell said. “The false narrative that that’s why I’m choosing… I think relationships won out with Miami.”

Miami Hurricanes football reporters call out report

Miami insiders were also quick to call out the reports.

“When you see a story like this, you ask yourself where it came from,” a report by CanesInSight said. “The agenda here is crystal clear, and Georgia knows how to play this game. It’s ‘let’s make this seem like that if he goes to Miami, it’s only because of money.’ Then, if he chooses Miami, then it’s that he’s following the bag, and it’s a stigma on the kid. It’s a strategic leak by people who want him in Georgia.”

Mike Ryan, an executive producer on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz and owner of CanesInSight, doubled down against the report after Cantwell committed.

“A lot of bad leaks started sprouting out last week about Miami having the most aggressive NIL offer,” Ryan said on X. “Always a pretty solid indicator other schools feel like they’re losing a battle. It’s weird when Miami loses a recruiting battle to Oregon or UGA, it’s never about NIL somehow.”

Jackson Cantwell said relationships led him to Miami Hurricanes football

Throughout his recruitment, Cantwell, a 6-foot-8, 320-pounder, spoke at length about his relationship with and appreciation for Miami coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, calling them the best developers of offensive linemen in the nation. He often pointed to their track record, specifically the rise of offensive tackle Penei Sewell, now one of the better linemen in the NFL.

Miami should have multiple offensive linemen drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, including Francis Mauigoa, who is being touted as a first-rounder.

“Whenever you have Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal, you know you’re gonna be in a good spot and you’re going to be developed by some of the best out there,” Cantwell said. “They’re producing guys, and they’re really successful. The guys up front have turned their program into a winner. I’m just excited to be a part of that.”

Still, the unknown amount of money the 16-year-old will make has been the source of argument, ignoring that Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State also likely had large sums on the table.

Jackson Cantwell recruiting coverage