The transfer portal has been crazier than out­house fly. Be it Bryce Underwood’s Michigan arrival or Beau Pribula’s untimely transfer portal move, everything indicates a single truth: the players’ mind maps are highly volatile. But it’s not about just the collegiate players juggling between schools and swapping jerseys randomly. It’s about the supremely talented high school kids patiently and wisely judging the schools before unlocking their new career level.

The latest name to join the party is the 2026 class No. 1 overall recruit Jackson Cantwell, who has assembled 30 scholarship offers that include the Top 10 of SEC and Big 10 schools almost exclusively. But who has the edge over the others?

Jackson Cantwell seems to be locked for the 35.9 million school

Cantwell, a 6’8”, 315-pound offensive lineman, sees through the best features of Texas A&M, Miami, Nebraska, Oregon, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Missouri, and LSU. We have the latest intel from transfer portal specialists. ON3’s Josh Newberg was asked Cantwell. ”He’s already been on a ton of visits. Do you have a feel for who’s really in it with him?” Well, Newberg has the deets.

“Well, he said, he’s still talking to about 10 schools right now and he’s looking at narrowing it down to four going into the summer and official visits of trying to make his college decision. He said the problem is all these schools do a great job recruiting and I think we can obviously point to some schools that we think are in it, I think he started that list with Missouri, he’s a legacy recruit,” Newberg spilled the bean.

The Nixa football star junior stands out as the second-ever prospect from southwest Missouri and emerged as the No. 1 overall prospect. Chilling at home on an off day and playing for his hometown school would provide a level of comfort to anyone. As a matter of fact, Nixa is just 40 minutes away from Columbia. But, on the top, it’s all about the bloodline that can trigger a move in favor of Eliah Drinkwitz.

”His father’s in the Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame a professional shot putter, world champion in the shot put, also a silver medalist in the shot put at the Olympics. He said he spent the first eight years of his life on the Mizzou campus, and he talked about the huge emphasis Coach Drinkwitz has on keeping instate guys home when you’re the number one player in the country,” said Newberg. 

”You’re going to have tremendous nil opportunities. He attended a game at Missouri this year and, like the development of the offensive line says they’re always ranked in the top 25 under coach Drinkwitz,” the ON3 journalist updated the mental status of the prized OL.

While Mizzou clearly has a reason to breathe, they must be aware of the close competition with another conference giant.

Jackson Cantwell has strong ties with the Nebraska Cornhuskers

Back in October, the athlete narrowed it down to two schools based on his family ties. From the father’s side, it’s Missouri Tigers. From the mother’s lineage, it’s Nebraska and Matt Rhule.

His mother, Teri (Steer), was born and brought up in Crete before going to SMU. They have some other family members and some familiar faces in Nebraska.

The five-star lineman took several visits to the Cornhuskers camp and has seemingly built a strong relationship with the Huskers’ offensive line coach, Donovan Raiola. ”I think Coach Raiola is a good dude to learn from. He teaches unique stuff on the offensive line. I can see that room starting to gradually get better and I think those guys like to learn under him,” said Cantwell after his July visit to the campus.

He also had a fruitful conversation with Dayton Raiola, the 2026 QB prospect from Buford, Georgia, and the brother of Dylan Raiola. So, the bonds are getting stronger.

No, it remains to be seen whether or not the Mizzou gets it snatched from the Huskers or has to back off in front of a larger Matt Rhule push.