Georgia HC Kirby Smart Sends Strong Message After Being Spurned by Coveted Star

The Georgia Bulldogs extensively pursued Jackson Cantwell, offensive tackle from Nixa High School.

They led the recruitment process but in the end lost the No.

1 ranked star to Mario Cristobal's team.Reflecting on that, head coach Kirby Smart dropped a strong message about the recruiting problems in the current unregulated NIL market of college football.

"It's confusing.

A lot of misleading information out there," Smart said to CBS.

"Nobody really knows what's accurate.

A lot of schools are approaching it in different ways.

We hear something different from every school.

So I don't think anybody really knows."Georgia coach Kirby Smart looks on during the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta Joshua L Jones USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Cantwell, ranked No.

10 nationally by 247Sports, enlisted super agent Drew Rosenhaus last fall to navigate his NIL discussions and was reportedly courted with a three-year, $2 million-per-year package from Miami, though Cantwell refuted claims NIL was the deciding factor.The 6-foot-8 tackle visited Athens a total of six times, including one in the recent week.

On the other hand, he had not set foot in Coral Gables since March.From relationships to development and NIL, how Miami won the recruitment of the nation's top recruit Jackson Cantwell."They put the most effort into me, called me and came to see me a lot, and it just felt genuine the whole way."On the Hurricanes NILObviously they do it...

pic.twitter.com/tEs26MPOfc Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) May 14, 2025 Cantwell also developed a rapport with UGA quarterback recruit Jared Curtis: they closely followed one anothers recruiting journeys and exchanged cryptic messages on social media.

Despite this high-profile miss, Smart pointed to Georgias model of selling long-term player development and NFL preparation, popularly known Georgia discount, as the foundation for signing the nations No.

2 class in 2025.

"We've had some really good football teams, and we got a good state to recruit from," the Georgia coach said, maintaining a positive outlook.

"We got a great university to recruit to, academically and football-wise.

It's been a pleasure to be there."Related: No.

1 Ranked Star Reveals Reason for Turning Down Georgia While Calling Out Pete Nakos.

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