Ohio State Football in Strong Contention for Top Prospect Jackson Cantwell
Days after claiming the College Football Playoff National Championship, Ohio State coach Ryan Day made a significant recruiting stop at Nixa High School, meeting with five-star prospect Jackson Cantwell. According to The News-Leader, Cantwell, the No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class, is set to make his decision on April 30, with the Buckeyes being one of four teams still in contention.
Cantwell, a 6-foot-8, 300-pound offensive tackle from Nixa High, is considering Ohio State, Georgia, Miami (Florida), and Oregon. The Buckeyes are the only program that can boast being the reigning national champions, a factor that Cantwell believes is significant. "They’re the best team in the country right now," he said. "Ohio State’s a really good situation."
As reported by The News-Leader, Cantwell has made two visits to Columbus in the last five months, gathering as much information as possible about the turnover at the offensive line coach position. With Justin Frye leaving the program to take over as the offensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals, Ohio State hired Tyler Bowen, formerly the offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech, as the new offensive line coach.
Frye had been instrumental in developing Paris Johnson Jr., the sixth-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Cantwell believes that Ohio State’s new coaching staff, which includes Marcus Johnson and Charlie Dickey, will be crucial in his development. "They’ve hired a lot of great offensive line coaches," he said. "They’re putting a lot of emphasis on it and are trying to make sure they develop those guys."
In an interview with The News-Leader in February, Cantwell praised Day, calling him "probably the most underrated coach in college football." He also expressed interest in Ohio State’s offense, stating that they have "a great offense year in and year out." However, he did note that the change in offensive line coaches could impact his decision.
Ohio State offered Cantwell in October 2023, with general manager Mark Pantoni delivering the news. Cantwell has visited Ohio State twice in the last five months, including a two-day visit in March where he met with Bowen for the first time.
The Buckeyes have a strong track record of developing offensive linemen, with multiple players selected in the NFL Draft in recent years. As reported by The News-Leader, ESPN ranks Josh Simmons as the fourth-best offensive tackle, Donovan Jackson as the fourth-best guard, and Seth McLaughlin as the second-best center. The team’s 2025 offensive line roster includes a mix of seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, with a new recruiting class that includes four-star tackle Carter Lowe.
Ohio State’s 2025 offensive line recruiting class also includes three-star interior offensive lineman Jake Cook, three-star offensive lineman Jayvon McFadden, and transfer players Ethan Onianwa and Phillip Daniels.
Cantwell’s decision on April 30 will be closely watched, with all four programs still in contention. As The News-Leader reports, the No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class has a tough choice ahead of him, but Ohio State’s national championship and strong coaching staff make them a formidable contender.
Source: The News-Leader – Jackson Cantwell: Football prospect breaks down upcoming decision
