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Oregon Ducks Trending To Land 5-Star Recruit Jackson Cantwell Commitment Over Ohio State, Georgia

The Oregon Ducks appear to be the favorite to land the five-star offensive tackle from the class of 2026 Jackson Cantwell. The talented recruit is also considering the Ohio State Buckeyes, Georgia Bulldogs, Missouri Tigers, Michigan Wolverines, and Miami Hurricanes.

Cory Pappas

Dec 7, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning runs out for warmups against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning runs out for warmups against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
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The Oregon Ducks are predicted to land class of 2026 five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell per Adam Gorney of Rivals. 

Other schools that are in consideration for Cantwell per 247Sports are the Georgia Bulldogs, Miami Hurricanes, Michigan Wolverines, Missouri Tigers, and Ohio State Buckeyes.

Jackson Cantwell to Oregon?

New Offensive Line coach A'lique Terry, center, runs a drill during the first practice of spring for Oregon Football Thursday
New Offensive Line coach A'lique Terry, center, runs a drill during the first practice of spring for Oregon Football Thursday March 16, 2023. Eug 031623 Uo Spring Fb 13 / Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Adam Gorney of Rivals this week reported that Oregon is currently the front runner to land five-star Jackson Cantwell.

"Oregon has the edge right now," Gorney said. "But Michigan, Georgia, Missouri, and many others remain involved."

Gorney added a factor that could help the Ducks in his recruiting process is the fact that coach Dan Lanning is from Cantwell's home state of Missouri. Lanning also got his coaching start in high school football there before ascending the college ranks.

Cantwell posted on his social media accounts last week showing him with Oregon offensive line coach A'lique Terry. Terry visited Cantwell's hometown of Nixa, Missouri.

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Jackson Cantwell Player Profile

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning gathers his team during a timeout as the Oregon Ducks host the Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Sta
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning gathers his team during a timeout as the Oregon Ducks host the Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Stadium Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jackson Cantwell is a 6-7, 300-pound offensive lineman out of Nixa, Missouri. He is rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 1 overall player in the class of 2026 per 247Sports. Scouting Analyst Gabe Brooks evaluated Cantwell in July of 2024. Here is what he had to say. 

“Tall, big framed offensive tackle prospect with a stellar athletic profile and pedigree who’s an advanced mover at this stage of development,” Brooks said. “Quick off the ball and flashes hand violence and general poor at the point of attack. Further ahead as a run blocker than in pass protection, but displays encouraging footwork in the latter with immense potential in that category.”

Brooks compares Cantwell to Miami Dolphins guard Liam Eichenberg. Eichenberg has similar physical characteristics and is listed at 6-6, 302 pounds. He played at Notre Dame from 2016 to 2020 and was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

In addition to being the top ranked player in the country at his position in football, Cantwell is also a State Champion in the Shot Put. He has won the Missouri Class 5A state title in the shot put two times and owns the national record for the longest shot out toss for a high school sophomore. 

Athleticism and strength run in the Cantwell family. His father, Christian Cantwell won a Silver Medal in the shot put at the 2008 Olympic Games. Meanwhile, his mother, Teri Steer, competed in the 2000 Olympic Games as a thrower. 

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Cory Pappas
CORY PAPPAS

Cory Pappas is sports writer for USC Trojans On SI and Oregon Ducks On SI. Since starting in March of 2024, he has been writing breaking news stories, game previews, game recaps, and more across College Sports, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics for Total Apex Sports. In addition to writing, Cory is also a sports data scout for Sportradar. He covers live sporting events ranging from college athletics to semi-pro and professional. Before joining the industry, Cory graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022. He ran track for Oregon's club Track and Field team. Before Oregon, he played varsity basketball and track and field in high school in Walnut Creek, CA. Cory is using his lifelong passion for sports and writing together.

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