Today, we’re diving into the latest news surrounding Jackson Cantwell’s recruitment and a few other exciting updates.
In a disappointing turn for Mizzou Football, the Tigers are no longer in the running for one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits. Jackson Cantwell, a standout in-state player and the No. 1 recruit for 2026, has officially narrowed his list down to four schools, and unfortunately for Mizzou, the Tigers didn’t make the cut.
On Monday, Cantwell unveiled his Top 4 schools, which includes Miami, Georgia, Oregon, and Ohio State. This revelation was a bit of a surprise, especially given that Cantwell is a Missouri native. His recruitment has been one of the most closely followed in the 2026 class, and his decision will carry significant weight as it shapes the future of college football recruiting.
Cantwell will announce his final decision on April 30th, and the list of schools competing for his commitment features some of the biggest programs in the country. While Mizzou is not in the running at this moment, the recruiting landscape can change in an instant. College football recruiting, as we know, isn’t truly concluded until a player officially signs their National Letter of Intent (NLI). Luther Burden III’s recruitment—who originally committed to Oklahoma before flipping to Mizzou—is a clear reminder that things can shift. So while Mizzou’s chances with Cantwell seem slim, the door may not be fully closed just yet.
For now, Coach Eli Drinkwitz and his staff will continue to focus on building their 2026 recruiting class. Mizzou has already secured early commitments from promising players like Anthony Kennedy Jr. and D’Montae Tims, both of whom are expected to make significant contributions in the future. While missing out on Cantwell is certainly a tough pill to swallow, it doesn’t mean that Mizzou’s recruitment efforts have stalled. There’s a lot of talent still on the board, and Drinkwitz’s team will shift focus to other high-priority prospects in the coming months.
But how big of a loss is Cantwell to the program? As the No. 1 recruit in the nation, his commitment would have been a huge feather in Mizzou’s cap and a major boost for the Tigers’ 2026 recruiting class. Cantwell’s skill set and potential would have made him a game-changer for the program, which is why this latest development stings. That said, Mizzou is far from out of the race for top-tier recruits, and the foundation Drinkwitz has built in recent years suggests that the Tigers will remain competitive in the recruiting battle.
To discuss just how significant this loss is, head over to RockM+ to join the conversation with other fans and analysts. Everyone’s weighing in on how this will impact Mizzou’s long-term recruiting strategy and what the next steps for the program will look like.
On a more positive note, Mizzou fans have something to celebrate as Kellie Harper and her women’s basketball program have secured a commitment from Jordana Reisma, a standout player from Cleveland State, via the transfer portal. Reisma, who brings significant talent to the team, is also bringing a new “bat signal” with her—an exciting addition to Harper’s already promising roster.
And it seems there could be more good news coming down the pipeline. Stay tuned, as there are whispers of more commitments and updates on the horizon for Mizzou athletics.
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