Jackson Cantwell is an intriguing new target for the Nebraska football program, considering that he has some deep ties to the state.
There are many stories about recruits that Nebraska football has gone after because of their dads, brothers, or uncles who played for the Huskers. While Jackson Cantwell‘s story is similar to those, the Missouri prospect’s personal tale is just slightly different. Still, his familial ties with the Cornhuskers seem to have stood out to him when Matt Rhule and company came calling.
The offensive tackle out of Nixa, Missouri, announced that Nebraska football made him an official offer. He also divulged an interesting little tidbit at the same time. Cantwell’s family has ties to Nebraska, though it’s not because his dad or brother played here. Instead, it’s because this is his mother’s home state.
Cantwell is a native Missourian and never lived in Nebraska football’s backyard so this seems more like one of those “weird twists of fate” than anything, but it’s clearly something that’s special to the offensive tackle prospect.
Blessed to receive an offer from my mom’s home state university, @HuskerFBNation. @s_kwilli32 @DonovanRaiola @AllenTrieu @JPRockMO @Rivals_Clint @MohrRecruiting @deucerecruiting @jperry_nixa #bigweektoday pic.twitter.com/WIv0dAlihE
— Jackson Cantwell (@jcantwell2499) April 13, 2023
Matt Rhule and his staff will tell you that when it comes to recruiting, any edge a program can get is worth the time and effort, so it stands to reason they’ll gladly lean on Cantwell’s mother’s birthplace as a way to get their feet in the door. Now it’s going to be all about closing the deal and making Cantwell feel as though he should make Lincoln his home when it comes time to go to college.
Nebraska football prospect has familial ties
It’s clear that when it comes to landing Cantwell, the Huskers are far from the only Power 5 program wanting his services. The Huskers were the 10th official offer from a group of FBS programs that are plenty powerful. Miami, Texas A&M, TCU, Missouri and Arkansas are among the schools that have come calling.
Interestingly, the Nebraska football team is currently the only Big 10 school to make an official offer. Most of the other programs are in Big 12 or SEC country. That Rhule believes he can lure Jackson Cantwell to Lincoln might mean he believes mom’s Nebraska ties are plenty strong.