Despite immense hype and physical tools, Miami Hurricanes highly-touted freshman Jackson Cantwell struggles to secure a consistent role as coaching comments suggest maturity may be the missing ingredient for success.
MIAMI, Fla. – Going back to spring practices and fall camp, former five-star recruit and freshman offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell was projected to be a starter; instead, he’s logged just 78 snaps for the No. 4 Miami Hurricanes at the line of scrimmage.
The 18-year-old has been placed in every position, except center, this season thus far. Cantwell has primarily seen time at right guard, but hasn’t been able to stay in the game for long stints. In Monday’s media availability, head coach Mario Cristobal might have hinted at the situation.
When asked about junior edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot’s growth, he alluded to “becoming serious about football.”
“You have two really good players [Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr.],” Cristobal said. “The guys that were here last year and you have a really talented guy coming in. Sometimes they get and they’re still full bore. Others, sometimes, they drift a little bit. I think [Lightfoot] drifted a little bit, not being malicious, but just being young and working through immaturity.”
Cantwell arrived at the Coral Gables campus with a ton of physical attributes, talent, and hype. He has a 6-8 and 330-pound frame, logged 459 pancake blocks at Nixa High School, and became the first offensive lineman to be named Gatorade National Player of the Year.
After the Hurricanes lost four offensive line starters to the NFL, Cantwell was heavily projected to step into a starting role immediately, mostly at left tackle. However, redshirt junior Samson Okunlola has taken the job there and is excelling. The rest of the starting lineup, thus far, has been left guard Seuseu “SJ” Alofaituli, center Ryan Rodriguez, right guard Max Buchanan, and right tackle Matthew McCoy.
Cantwell certainly has the physical tools to contribute, but it might be the mental and maturity aspects of football holding him back. Cristobal has stated that the players on the field have earned the trust of the coaching staff, which starts to build behind the scenes at Greentree Practice Fields and the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility.
Offensive line coach Alex Mirabal is regarded as one of the best assistants in college football. He’s developed a five-star recruit into an All-American: Francis Mauigoa, who was selected by the New York Giants in this year’s NFL Draft with the No. 10 pick. In the 2023 season, as a freshman, he played through growing pains.
Although Mauigoa didn’t have it all figured out immediately, trust was still formed.
Cantwell still has an opportunity to carve out a bigger role on the Hurricanes’ offensive line. Although the tackles and center jobs are taken, the guard spots are still up for grabs. Cantwell needs to show maturity and growth behind the scenes, even in film sessions, to form that high level of trust needed to step on the field and stay on it.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
