Jackson Cantwell believes Georgia football, Kirby Smart can develop him into NFL prospect

One thing five-star offensive line prospect Jackson Cantwell can’t stand when he talks to those about his recruitment is the assumption that if he goes wherever, he’ll go to the NFL.

Cantwell knows better than that. The Nixa football star, ranked as the nation’s No. 1 prospect, knows injuries and/or anything else can happen once he steps on a college campus. The only thing he can do ahead of his April 30 decision is make sure he sets himself up at a school that will better prepare him for his NFL dreams.

Georgia is one of those schools.

“You’re not a guaranteed thing, but what you can do is earn a starting position at a school like that,” Cantwell said. “Then, you’ll have a good shot at going to the National Football League just from the nature of how good you have to be to start there.”

Georgia, led by coach Kirby Smart, is one of four schools still in the running for Cantwell’s commitment. The Bulldogs hope Cantwell will put on the Bulldogs hat instead of one from Miami (Florida), Ohio State, or Oregon.

Throughout his recruitment, Cantwell has visited the Athens-based campus numerous times, knowing the program produces professional offensive linemen in the SEC while also competing for national championships. His family is familiar with the area — Cantwell noting his mom, Teri Cantwell (formerly Steer), trained in Georgia as an Olympian.

Cantwell is also aware that Georgia can turn offensive tackles into first-round picks; Broderick Jones (Pittsburgh, 2023) and Andrew Thomas (New York Giants, 2020) being among the most notable in recent years.

“Georgia develops every position at a high level,” Cantwell said. “They develop guys. I like a lot of stuff down there.”

What Jackson Cantwell has said about Georgia, Kirby Smart

Cantwell in February: “They’ve had many first-round (NFL Draft) tackles over the last couple of years. You don’t want to think going in, ‘Oh, I’m going to the NFL,’ but like everybody that starts at Georgia, ends up in the NFL at some point. I just like the Athens area. My mom lived down there for a couple of years when she was training.”

When Georgia football offered Jackson Cantwell

Georgia offered Cantwell a scholarship in July 2023 while participating in a summer camp in Athens.

When did Jackson Cantwell visit Georgia football?

Cantwell has made numerous trips to Athens in recent years.

He attended the Bulldogs’ win over Auburn in October this past season and visited Georgia in March and July 2024. He also attended a Bulldogs game and a summer camp in 2023.

Smart, alongside offensive line coach Stacy Searels, visited Cantwell in Nixa this past January.

Georgia football offensive linemen NFL Draft picks since 2020

• 2024 – Sedrick Van Pran-Granter, C, Fifth-round pick
• 2023 – Broderick Jones, OT, 14th overall pick
• 2023 – Warren McClendon, OT, Fifth-round pick
• 2022 – Justin Shaffer, OG, Sixth-round pick
• 2022 – Jamaree Salyer, OG, Sixth-round pick
• 2021 – Ben Cleveland, OG, Third-round pick
• 2021 – Trey Hill, C, Sixth-round pick
• 2020 – Andrew Thomas, OT, Fourth overall pick
• 2020 – Isaiah Wilson, OT, 29th overall pick
• 2020 – Solomon Kindley, OG, Fourth-round pick

Georgia football 2025 offensive line roster makeup

• Seniors – 1
• Juniors – 3
• Sophomores – 4
• Freshmen – 12

Georgia football 2025 offensive line recruiting class

Juan Gaston — Five-star offensive tackle ranked as the No. 18 player in the class.

Cortez Smith — Four-star interior lineman ranked as the No. 188 player in the class.

Dennis Uzochukwu — Four-star offensive tackle.

Mason Short — Three-star interior offensive lineman

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