Five-star freshman Jackson Cantwell battles top talent in spring practice, showing elite DNA and potential for a starting role on the Miami Hurricanes' reshaped offensive line.
Last season, the Miami Hurricanes had several impactful freshmen, such as running back Girard Pringle Jr., safety Bryce Fitzgerald, and star wide receiver Malachi Toney. As a new recruiting class joins the program, offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell is expected to take a similar path. He was ranked a five-star coming from Nixa High School, a public institution located in Christian County, Missouri. Cantwell recorded 459 pancake blocks in 45 total games over four seasons.
The 17-year-old practiced with the Hurricanes during the College Football Playoffs and experienced a welcoming moment when lined up against both star edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. As spring training officially opens, Cantwell has already gotten a taste of what’s to come. The five-star freshman is projected to be a starter among a reshaped offensive line.
Coach Mario Cristobal provided insight on the early stages of Cantwell’s development:
“He [Cantwell] has responded well,” he said. “I think he’s the type of guy that he’s all about getting coached hard and getting pushed. I mean, that’s an elite DNA, mentality, and his upbringing with his parents and the way that they raised him to be competitive, to be tough, to be respectful, to understand being coached hard. Some moments, he’s going to look awesome and other moments, he’s going to look like a true freshman, and that’s okay. We tell all those guys all the time, cut it loose. The meetings are for teaching, the field is for work, and come when that ball is snapped, you got to roll, cut it loose, and play ball. I think he is gaining confidence in a down-by-down basis and he’s playing against really good players. We’re going to keep forcefeeding him because he responds and he is getting better every single day.”
The Missouri native brings size to the Hurricanes’ offensive line, listed at 6-8, 330 pounds.
Despite All-American Bain Jr. and Mesidor departing from the program, preparing for the NFL Draft, Cantwell will go up against other talented edge rushers and defensive linemen who will sharpen his skillsets, such as Marquise Lightfoot, Damon Wilson II, Justin Scott, Armondo Blount, and several others.
The Hurricanes’ offensive line provided high-quality protection for quarterback Carson Beck last season. Despite four key starters in left tackle Markel Bell, right guard Anez Cooper, center James Brockermeyer, and All-American right tackle Francis Mauigoa declaring for the upcoming NFL Draft, the results are expected to be the same for Darian Mensah. Cantwell will have an opportunity to earn a starting role as the program tinkers with certain lineups, plus moving Matthew McCoy from left guard to right tackle.
Spring training is still in the early phases, but the Hurricanes look to pick up where they left off.
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