The No. 1 prospect in the 2026 class is visiting Ohio State this weekend.
Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell confirmed he’ll be visiting OSU on Saturday, the first time the Missouri product has visited Columbus in his recruitment. Cantwell will also visit Michigan on Sunday.
The 6-foot-7, 300-pound prospect was offered by OSU in October of 2023.
“It feels really good,” Cantwell told Eleven Warriors of picking up the offer. “Obviously being from Missouri, I haven’t watched a whole lot of Ohio State football. But it’s a top program so it’s definitely great I have the opportunity to learn more about them as time goes on.”
Upcoming visits:
— Jackson Cantwell (@jcantwell2499) December 9, 2024
Ohio State Dec 14@ryandaytime @CoachJFrye
Michigan Dec 15@Coach_SMoore @grant_newsome #NSGB @jperry_nixa @CoachMedley66 pic.twitter.com/bm0LnvBD0C
Cantwell is the son of two former Olympic shot put throwers. His father is Christian Cantwell, a Mizzou alumnus who won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. His mother, Teri Steer, competed at the 2000 Sydney Games.
“What our program has really made me get into is down blocking and pass protection,” Cantwell said of his best on-field attributes. “Pretty much anything in the run game where I can go down and block linebackers or defensive tackles is pretty good. I feel like in pass protection my reach blocks have been pretty good as well. I obviously have a lot of athleticism and size, but I’d say there’s a few things I’m doing pretty well at right now.”
Offensive linemen are a huge priority for Ohio State in the 2026 class as you might expect (and in the transfer portal), so expect the Buckeyes to take a big swing with Cantwell this weekend.
Josh Thompson visiting Ohio State this week
It’s only day one of the transfer portal being opened, but a top offensive lineman has already locked in an official visit with the Buckeyes. Per 247Sports, former Northwestern guard Josh Thompson will visit Michigan State on Tuesday, Auburn on Wednesday and Ohio State on Friday.
Thompson has one season of eligibility remaining and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors this past season. In his career for the Wildcats, he’s played in 31 games and made 21 starts, seeing time at left guard, right guard and right tackle.
Per Pro Football Focus’ grades, Thompson finished this season with an overall grade of 74.9, the eighth-best mark among guards in the Big Ten or SEC. He has not allowed a sack in his last 18 games.
OL Kam Dewberry enters the transfer portal
Another potential offensive lineman of interest to Ohio State entered his name in the transfer portal on Monday. Former Texas A&M guard Kam Dewberry decided to finish his collegiate career elsewhere and will have one season of eligibility remaining.
BREAKING: Texas A&M IOL Kam Dewberry plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 9, 2024
The 64 335 IOL played in 34 games in his time with the Aggies
2022 Freshman All-American
Will have 1 year of eligibility remaining https://t.co/LFAyKoI11h pic.twitter.com/iwYv2iY6d5
The 6-foot-4, 330-pound Dewberry was a big target for OSU in the 2022 recruiting class but ultimately chose to play for the Aggies. Across three seasons for Texas A&M, Dewberry played in 32 games and made eight starts, most of his appearances coming at left guard.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dewberry achieved an overall grade of 58.6 in 261 snaps in 2024.
Zion Elee commits to Maryland
A top Ohio State defensive end target in the 2026 class is off the board. Five-star 2026 defensive end Zion Elee committed to Maryland on Saturday, opting to stay in his home state.
Elee, considered the No. 13 prospect and No. 2 defensive end per 247Sports’ composite rankings, will still likely be courted by other teams, including OSU, throughout the next year despite his commitment.
