Teams are doing everything they can in the final hours to increase their chances of landing five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell. The No. 1 player in the country is set to announce his commitment on May 13, and Georgia made a power move by scheduling one final visit with him that began May 10.
And while his three other finalists (Miami, Ohio State and Oregon) won't be able to meet with him before his commitment date, they are still doing everything they can to put themselves in a better position to win this recruitment.
While that likely means these coaching staffs will communicate with Cantwell over the phone before his commitment is announced, the Hurricanes are calling in a favor from former Miami legends to help recruit Cantwell to Miami.
Hey @jcantwell2499, trade that Midwest chill for some Miami heat! The vibes are electric, the swagger is real, and the brotherhood? Unmatched. Let’s make you a legend in The 305. #Canes 🙌🏽
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) May 8, 2025
Miami legends are helping recruit Jackson Cantwell to Miami
Jarret Payton was a star running back for the Hurricanes from 1999 to 2003 when Miami was at their height as a program. Payton however isn't the only Miami legend lobbying for Cantwell to come to Miami as Vernon Carey Sr. did as well. The message from Carey might speak louder to Cantwell than any other message becuase he himself was a former No. 1 offensive lineman as well.
It remains to be seen if this push from Miami will impact Cantwell's decision or not, but there's a chance it does because Miami might be Georgia's biggest competition in Cantwell's recruitment. The Hurricanes have the largest NIL offer on the table and also have a crystal ball prediction in their favor on 247Sports as well, so both are great signs for Miami in this recruitment.
But Georgia also has things going in their favor as well, which includes being the heavy favortie according to On3. Recent five-star quarterback commit Jared Curits was in Athens this weekend as well alongside Cantwell helping recruit him to Georgia, so that shouldn't hurt UGA's chances either.
Time will tell if Georgia ends up winning this recruitment or not, but as it stands today it is still anybody's race to win.