The Georgia Bulldogs have sat as the favorites to land the top recruit in the 2026 class for much of this spring. But that may be changing.
On3’s Steve Wiltfong suggested in his Tuesday update on the recruitment of No. 1 prospect Jackson Cantwell that the Oregon Ducks and Miami Hurricanes could be gaining on the Bulldogs.
“Georgia, Oregon and Miami look like the best bet in the Cantwell sweepstakes. The Bulldogs led for much of this process in my opinion,” Wiltfong wrote. “However, as a decision nears, the Hurricanes have come on strong and now it’s the Ducks serve this weekend. They check a lot of boxes for Cantwell. What will the NIL number look like?
“What will it look like added up over three to four seasons? Those are some big things being discusses down the stretch.”
Wiltfong added that Cantwell “is looking” for a school that “plays smash-mouth football” and places a huge emphasis on developing offensive lineman.
Wiltfong mentioned the NIL component will also be a factor for Cantwell.
Cantwell told On3 during the second weekend of April that he moved up his official visit to Oregon from June to April. The offensive lineman will be in Eugene, Ore., from April 19-21.
The 247 Sports composite rankings have Cantwell positioned as the No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class. Obviously, he is also the top offensive line and Missouri prospect in the class as well.
Standing nearly at 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds, Cantwell will play his final high school season at Nixa, Mo.