On Tuesday, May 13, Nixa High School tackle Jackson Cantwell — the nation’s No. 10 recruit — announced his commitment to the University of Miami.
Cantwell is a consensus top prospect in the Class of 2026, and his roots had long been tied to the University of Missouri, a connection that had given Mizzou fans hope.
And while it once seemed likely that Missouri had a shot at landing him, the Tigers didn’t even make his top five.
Eliah Drinkwitz made a strong push to recruit him, but ultimately the nation’s No. 10 prospect couldn’t be convinced to stay close to home for college.
Jackson’s father, Christian Cantwell, is an Olympic shot putter who also attended the University of Missouri. So why wasn’t Mizzou among the top five schools in his son’s recruitment? It’s hard to pinpoint exactly, but given the magnitude of Jackson’s talent, it's safe to say Missouri had a tough time competing with college football’s top-tier programs.
Ultimately, Cantwell chose Miami, citing his admiration for the coaching staff and the program as a whole.
While it’s certainly a tough loss for the Tigers, there’s no reason for concern — Eliah Drinkwitz has consistently shown progress throughout his tenure with the program.
Drinkwitz has done well securing top in-state talent, but in today’s transfer portal era, his success in out-of-state recruiting has been equally important. Something that seems to be getting underappreciated.
While missing out on Cantwell is certainly disappointing, it’s no cause for concern when it comes to the future of Missouri football.