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The Miami Hurricanes picked up a huge commitment from five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell on Tuesday afternoon. Cantwell, the consensus top player in the country according to On3 Sports, chose the Canes over Georgia and Oregon despite the Bulldogs being the leader for much of his recruitment. But he didn’t come cheap.
According to several reports, Miami offered to pay Cantwell $2.5 million in his first year on campus, topping the $2 million offer the Hurricanes reportedly had on the table a week ago when Georgia seemed to be at the top of his list.
Spending big money is certainly nothing new for Miami. The ‘Canes reportedly spent big to land offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa in the 2023 class over programs such as Tennessee and Alabama. Mauigoa started immediately in Coral Gables and was a second-team All-ACC selection a year ago. They’ll be hoping to replicate that success with Cantwell, who is the son of a world champion shot putter.
“Miami excites me a lot because they have an offensive-line oriented coach in Mario Cristobal,” Cantwell said of the ‘Canes. “I like Coach Cristobal a lot.
“I think Coach Mirabal is a top five O-line coach in the country. Even that could be a little like subjective where in the top five it would be. He does a fantastic job. He does a great developing. They always seem to have the right guys on the offensive line.”
He’ll have the opportunity to step in right away for an offensive line that figures to lose several key pieces, including Mauigoa, following the 2025 season. Throughout the recruiting process, Cantwell was represented by famed NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus, was quick to offer his congratulations following the commitment ceremony.
Congrats @jcantwell2499 pic.twitter.com/5vtRrVoyZ8
— Drew Rosenhaus (@DrewJRosenhaus) May 13, 2025
Landing Cantwell also preserves Miami’s status as one of, if not the premier, program when it comes to NIL. Dan Le Betard show host and Miami booster, Mike Ruiz recently spoke about the importance of that status, specfically with regards to quarterback recruiting.
“Because the national perception is: Miami pays the quarterbacks. And if you’re in the game of trying to acquire talent, you don’t mind that perception out there, because it gets you in the room where things happen with these quarterbacks. So, why would I reveal the number?”
Clearly, that perception and the apparent reality also helped with Cantwell.