Coach | 2026 OL Jackson Cantwell A "Once-In-A-Lifetime" Kid
With dozens of offers from the biggest programs in the country, Jackson Cantwell has solidified himself as one of the very top prospects in the entire 2026 class.
“It's hard to say can't-miss,” Nixa High School head coach John Perry says of the Missouri offensive lineman. “That's a big label to put on a young man, but he's darn near can't-miss because of his size - he's a legit 6-8, 300 - because of his power - he'll bench press 425 ish - and his athleticism.
“He's already won the state as a ninth-grader in the shot (put). He's a nationally-ranked thrower. All of that together just makes him a phenomenal prospect at left tackle. He's extremely athletic. He played on the basketball team. Solid kid, solid family, 33 ACT in the eighth grade, highly intelligent. He's just a once-in-a-lifetime type of kid.”
In addition to his on-field contributions, Cantwell’s personality off the field has also helped the Nixa program.
“The positive thing is this, when your best players are your hardest-working kids, you have an opportunity to be really good,” Perry says. “He's one of the hardest working kids in our program. He lifts extra, he runs extra, he puts in extra time pass setting, extra time in the playbook. He's just a special kid, no doubt about it. When you have those types of kids in your program, you have a chance to be very successful.”
Cantwell’s offer sheet currently includes schools like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State, Miami, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, USC, Oregon and Missouri among several others.
If the offers and accolades have changed Cantwell at all, it’s only been for the better, according to Perry.
“It's really brought along his communication,” his coach says. “He communicates really well and he wasn't the biggest talker in the world, but that has changed because of all the attention that he has received.
“He's still the hardest worker. He still does everything right. He still shows up early, stays late. He's got two great parents who will keep him grounded, that's for sure.”
Notre Dame hasn’t extended an offer yet, but with Pot of Gold Day coming, that could change soon.
Perry doesn’t think it’s too late for any school to get in with Cantwell.
“I think he's pretty wide open,” the coach says. “He's a smart kid, smart family. They're going to take it all in. I do not think under any circumstance that he's made any decisions at all.”
And if the Irish were to offer, it’s likely one Cantwell would at least consider.
“I hate to speak for him, but because of who Notre Dame is and what type of reputation that they have, I would assume that they would be one that they would definitely investigate.”
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