Imagine being the most dominant offensive tackle in high school football, with powerhouse programs practically throwing scholarships at your feet. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, for Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2026 class, it’s more like a puzzle with too many right answers. Everyone wants a piece of him—Georgia, Michigan, Miami, Missouri, Ohio State, and Oregon. But here’s the kicker: Cantwell can’t seem to pick just one. And with a $113 billion empire putting Jackson into the spotlight, the stakes just got even higher.
Spoiler alert: nobody. Cantwell has visited all six of his finalists, and not a single one has separated itself from the pack. He made late-November visits to Michigan and Ohio State, and both left a lasting impact. “I had a lot of fun at Michigan and Ohio State,” Cantwell admitted. “Those are just two great places. I learned a lot from talking ba-l with the coaches at Michigan, and I got to learn a lot more about the program at Ohio State.” Both schools are literally known for churning out NFL-caliber linemen, so it’s no surprise they’re putting in overtime to land this generational talent.
Then there’s Oregon…
No. 1 OT Jackson Cantwell is down to six schools but does not yet have a leader
“That’s the problem, everyone does everything so well.”
Read: https://t.co/SlPSxn5Ofn pic.twitter.com/gK5SE91MuT
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) February 9, 2025
Cantwell has built a strong connection with head coach Dan Lanning and offensive line coach A’lique Terry. “A’lique Terry has done a fantastic job building those guys up on the offensive line. They coach about as well as anybody,” he said. And let’s not ignore the Nike influence. With Phil Knight being one of Oregon’s most powerful boosters, the Ducks have an unspoken edge when it comes to branding, NIL opportunities, and elite-level facilities.
Jackson Cantwell got three programs—OSU, Oregon, and Michigan—going back and forth like it’s a heavyweight fight, each trying to land the biggest offensive lineman in the 2026 class. “That’s the problem, everyone does everything so well.” Jackson said when asked about ‘why there’s no leader’ program. Yeah, sounds like a good problem to have… until you realize National Signing Day is creeping up, and he still ain’t got a clue.
The $113 billion X-Factor: How Nike’s influence changes everything
Jackson Cantwell is set to represent the Kansas City Chiefs at Nike’s “The Next Ones” combine ahead of Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. This event is a big deal, bringing together elite high school talent and giving them direct exposure to NFL legends. The $113 billion worth Nike’s presence in this event is a not-so-subtle reminder of the brand’s influence in college football, and let’s be real—Oregon benefits from that more than anyone.
For a recruit like Cantwell, who already has the spotlight on him, this connection could tip the scales in the Ducks’ favor. The opportunity to be part of a program with unlimited marketing potential, top-tier development, and a direct pipeline to the league? Yeah, that’s hard to ignore.
At this point, it’s anyone’s guess where Cantwell will end up. Every program has rolled out the red carpet, every coach has made their pitch, and yet he remains undecided. The pressure is mounting, and with National Signing Day slowly creeping, all eyes are on the 6-foot-7, 305-pound phenom.
One thing’s for sure—whoever lands Cantwell isn’t just getting a future first-rounder. They’re getting a game-changer, both on and off the field. And right now, the entire college football world is waiting to see where this domino falls.
The post 5-Star OT Jackson Cantwell’s Dilemma Has OSU, Oregon & Michigan in a Fix After $113B Co. Initiative Puts Him in Spotlight appeared first on EssentiallySports.
