Miami Hurricanes’ NIL For 5-Star Recruit Under Fire By College Football Analyst

Miami Hurricanes’ NIL Deal for 5-Star Recruit Jackson Cantwell Draws Criticism from College Football Analyst

Five-star offensive tackle recruit Jackson Cantwell recently committed to the Miami Hurricanes, and reports have surfaced suggesting that he will receive a $2 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. Cantwell chose Miami over offers from top programs like the Oregon Ducks and Georgia Bulldogs. However, some voices in the sports world are questioning whether that amount is excessive for an incoming freshman.

Cantwell’s commitment to Miami sent shockwaves through the college football scene, especially given that he decided to play under Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, a former Oregon Ducks coach. Cantwell’s decision to pick the Hurricanes over Oregon and Georgia has sparked debate.

David Pollack, a former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker (2002-04), expressed his concerns about the reported NIL deal during a recent episode of his podcast, See Ball Get Ball. Pollack was particularly critical of the $2 million figure, suggesting it was an imprudent investment for an offensive lineman.

“If you want to spend that much money on a quarterback, we can have that conversation. But I’m not spending $2 million on an offensive lineman. I’m just not,” Pollack said. “The chances of an offensive lineman getting injured are high, considering how physical the position is. It’s just a risky move.”

While some may interpret Pollack’s comments as bitterness following Cantwell’s decision to bypass Georgia, there’s validity to his concerns about the direction of NIL deals and the lack of clear regulations for high school athletes.

Before making his decision, Cantwell had been linked to Georgia, where he could have joined No. 1 quarterback recruit Jared Curtis. Cantwell even shared Curtis’ commitment post on Instagram, and the two reportedly had discussions about playing together. However, Cantwell ultimately chose Miami.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was asked about Cantwell’s decision in an interview with SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum. Smart shared his personal stance on NIL, stating that he doesn’t believe freshmen should earn more than seniors, reflecting a more conservative approach to NIL deals.

Miami’s approach to NIL has raised eyebrows, but it may not be entirely unjustified. Cristobal is looking to make a big impact in his second season after leading the Hurricanes to a 10-3 record. In another high-profile move, Cristobal signed former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck for an estimated $4 million, hoping Beck will be the leader Miami’s offense needs this fall.

Meanwhile, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, who also has strong views on NIL, shared his philosophy in an interview with SI reporter Bri Amaranthus. Lanning emphasized the importance of taking care of players and stated, “In a landscape where you can take care of players, that’s what we want to do. I don’t want to get anyone at a discount.”

After missing out on Cantwell, the Ducks have shifted their focus to recruiting elite offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho in the 2026 class. Can Lanning secure this five-star prospect for Oregon? Time will tell.