"Excited to get down to Coral Gables for the first time": Nation's No. 1 OT Jackson Cantwell confirms Miami visit for Duke game

By Maliha

Modified Oct 31, 2024 10:39 GMT

Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, son of two Olympians, made his way to Tuscaloosa for the matchup between Alabama and Missouri last weekend. This weekend, he is set to make his first visit to coach Mario Cristobal's Miami as the No. 5 Hurricanes are back home for their game against Duke.

On Wednesday, Cantwell confirmed the news on X, tagging multiple Miami coaches, including Cristobal, Miami offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, assistant offensive line coach Edwin Pata and tight ends coach Cody Woodiel.

"Going to be at @CanesFootball this weekend for a visit. Excited to get down to Coral Gables for the first time! #NSGB @CoachMirabal @coach_cristobal @CoachEdPata @CoachWoodiel," he wrote.

Miami’s football program has been thriving this season, with the team ranked No. 5 nationally and boasting a perfect record at 8-0. The Hurricanes also lead the nation in scoring offense and rank second in passing production. They secured a 36-14 victory over rival Florida State last weekend. Meanwhile, Duke holds a 6-2 record but is coming off a narrow 28-27 loss to SMU on Saturday.

The Miami-Duke matchup is expected to be competitive, with both teams having won one of their last two meetings. In those encounters, Miami has outscored Duke 68-55.

Jackson Cantwell opens up about his Miami visit

Jackson Cantwell has taken multiple visits to date, including Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia, Missouri and Tennessee. Speaking with Rivals, he opened up about his upcoming Miami visit, saying:

"Their success this year and historically a successful culture is exciting. They also have a great offensive line coach in Coach Mirabal and an OL-minded head coach in Coach Cristobal."

Mario Cristobal, a former offensive lineman at Miami, is known for focusing on strong offensive line play, making the Hurricanes an attractive option for recruits like Cantwell. According to 247 Sports, the 6-7, 300-pound Cantwell is quick off the ball and shows remarkable hand violence as well as power at the point of attack.

Jackson Cantwell is only the second prospect from southwest Missouri to be named the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation. His potential commitment could be a game-changer for Miami, which currently has a need for offensive line talent in its 2026 class.

The Hurricanes this cycle rank No. 13 in the nation with three committed players, including four-star quarterback Dereon Coleman, linebacker Jordan Campbell and cornerback Camdin Portis. It witnessed the decommitment of four-star cornerback Ksani Jiles in February.