Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes are still in the running for the nation’s top 2026 recruit, Jackson Cantwell. A standout from Nixa, Missouri, Cantwell is a 6-foot-7.5, 300-pound offensive tackle with offers from across the country. While he could play anywhere, he’s narrowed his choices down to four schools: Georgia, Oregon, Miami, and Ohio State.
This is big news for the Buckeyes, as they have a strong track record with top-tier recruits (just look at Jeremiah Smith). There’s also an update in Cantwell’s recruitment: he had originally planned to announce his commitment on April 30, but has now pushed that decision back to May 13 to fit in an unofficial visit to Georgia.
While many see the race as a battle between Oregon, Miami, and Georgia, according to Keegan Pope of On3, Ohio State shouldn’t be counted out just yet. Cantwell has visited the Buckeyes twice—once in November 2024 and again this past March—and after those visits, Ohio State quickly became a major contender for his commitment.
Though it might be a long shot, Ohio State’s strong 2026 class, which is currently ranked No. 3 nationally and includes a commitment from 5-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., keeps them very much in the conversation. Cantwell is rated as the top overall recruit in the 2026 class by 247Sports Composite.
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