How Nebraska football could actually land 5-star OT Jackson Cantwell

For the third straight recruiting class, Nebraska football is involved with one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the entire country.

Brandon Baker was that target in 2024. David Sanders is now that guy in the 2025 class and there is still a chance the Huskers could land him after ending up in his top four.

Ever since Matt Rhule was hired, recruiting the state of Missouri has been a priority. He even just hired a former Missouri high school head coach and it just so happens that maybe the top recruiting target on the board for the Huskers in the 2026 class is out of Missouri.

That’s five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell. The 6-foot-7, 300-pounder is ranked No. 3 overall according to the 247 Sports composite rankings in 2026. He’s ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle and is the state record holder for the shot put.

Track and field could give Nebraska an edge for Jackson Cantwell

Cantwell threw a 64-3.75 in the shot put to win the state title as a freshman and his dad was a silver medalist in the event in the 2008 Olympics. Why does that matter? It could help Nebraska football land the elite offensive tackle.

The Huskers have zero hesitancy in allowing players to play other sports. There are Nebraska football players on the track and field team. Nash Hutmacher also wrestled last winter.

So there is no doubt that Cantwell can do the shot put at Nebraska and that’s been part of the recruiting pitch by the Huskers according to Tim Verghese of Rivals. Verghese said the Huskers have a plan for it, while other schools don’t which could give Nebraska an edge.

Can Nebraska secure Jackson Cantwell?@TimVerghese and @ralulla discuss how their support for two-sport athletes gives them a major edge in recruiting.#Huskers | #GBR pic.twitter.com/9VGmutKJKK

— Hurrdat Sports (@HurrdatSports) July 19, 2024

Cantwell included the Huskers in his top 14 earlier this week. Missouri, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and Alabama are among the most serious contenders but you have to put the Huskers in that mix. They have hosted him three times already, which is the most of any school outside of Missouri.

It won’t be easy but Cantwell could block for Dylan Raiola and at Nebraska, there is no question about whether he could pursue the shot put in track and field, which might just give the Huskers a leg up for the five-star tackle.

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