Depending on whether you caught every down, every beat of the Super Bowl. Or if you saw the box score at the end. You’d have very different perspectives on how that game played out. That said, everyone in the football sphere is in unison about one thing. The key takeaway from the Eagles’ triumph was that one cliche still holds true and will perennially. Football is won and lost in the trenches. Control the line of scrimmage like Philly did, and you control the game. It’s not as if programs needed this reminder. But it sure has made offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell an even hotter commodity. As if that were even possible.

Cantwell, the no.1 overall recruit in the class of ‘26, has already condensed his list of potential landing spots down to 6 schools about a fortnight ago. The list of 6 schools includes bluebloods, those adjacent to that stature, and Cantwell’s in-state Mizzou. Now that the contents of this exclusive club are out, focus has pivoted to discerning the hierarchy. Which program has the upper hand in landing this 6’7, 300-pound man-mountain? The latest revelation in this process helps answer that.

Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, Miami and Missouri. Those are the schools vying for Jackson Cantwell. A bonafide athletic freak who comes from a bloodline of literal Olympians. Cantwell’s parents are both Olympians in shot put. He has continued this lineage and has even breached the national high-school record. There’s no wonder the Nike connection and general prowess of Oregon’s track and field program is baked into this recruitment. However, Dan Lanning and Phil Knight have been dealt some bad news. 

According to On3’s Steve Wiltfong, “2026 No. 1 recruit Jackson Cantwell is planning to visit Miami, Michigan, and Ohio State during the third week of March.” This was relayed over the On3 Recruits’ X handle. Albeit digitally, this seismic news has reverberated across to the 3 schools left stranded and is causing virtual trembles. 

About a fortnight ago, Wiltfong took to the On3 YouTube channel to lay out where affairs stand for Jackson Cantwell’s recruitment. “Georgia has been a front runner the entire process for Jackson Cantwell” he remarked. “The pedigree on the field, the track record of player development, particularly on the offensive line. A like-minded culture and style of play. Georgia remains one of Jackson Cantwell’s favorites, and one I’m keeping a close eye on as he starts to line up his official visits,” Well, seems like the race is now ever so closer since Athens isn’t on the itinerary for said visits.

There’s plenty of time for Cantwell to visit UGA, but it won’t happen this spring. This is certainly a shot in the arm for Ryan Day. Who was in a similar situation to what Dan Lanning and Kirby Smart find themselves in now. Goes to show the convoluted nature of this ordeal. Makes sense too, since it’s for a one-man pass protection!

Ryan Day finds his footing again after key personnel change affected Jackson Cantwell’s recruitment

For Ohio State, the departure of O-line coach Justin Frye for the NFL hindered them massively. Frye’s work with an injury-ridden offensive line on the run to the Natty made him one of the keys to their chances. Not knowing who your QB shall be is one thing. But being uncertain about the coach might be a bridge too far for Jackson Cantwell. This uncertainty was initially deemed too much to overcome.  It’s not a surprise that Ohio State went from one of the leaders in this recruitment to a potential afterthought.

Discussing Jackson Cantwell in relation to the Buckeyes guesting on the On3 YouTube channel was Alex Gleitman of ‘Lettermen Row’. He claimed, “I would say no position more than the offensive line is positively impacted by Ohio State’s run to a national title. Just because of what they were able to do and what Justin Frye showed from a developmental standpoint and a coaching standpoint.” Ryan Day has filled the void left by Frye with Virginia Tech OC Tyler Bowen.

Safe to say this recruitment hangs in the balance just yet. Keep your eyes peeled on this potentially generational lineman and his recruitment trail. Ryan Day is gaining momentum, and we saw what can transpire when he does during the playoffs last year. He and Bowen will hope to strike a chord with Jackson Cantwell when he imminently arrives in Columbus next month.