Jackson Cantwell, one of the most sought-after multi-sport athletes in the country, has officially made his college decision, and it came with a unique twist: a call from a Super Bowl champion helped tip the scales. The 6-foot-8, 300-pound Missouri native has committed to play football and continue his track and field career at the University of Missouri. After months of deliberation, countless visits, and offers from elite programs across the nation, the son of an Olympian and former NFL lineman has chosen to stay home.
Cantwell, known as much for his prowess in the shot put and discus as for his dominance on the offensive line, made headlines last summer when his rare combination of size, agility, and raw strength earned him five-star status in football recruiting circles. But he’s never been just a football player. A national leader in high school throws and a two-time state champion in track, Cantwell’s recruitment was as much about track and field as it was about football.
In recent months, schools like Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Texas ramped up their efforts to land Cantwell. Each program offered not just a spot on the football roster, but a chance to be part of nationally competitive track and field programs. For Cantwell, who dreams of one day representing Team USA at the Olympics like his mother, former shot put star Stephanie Brown Trafton, the track component mattered just as much as football.
“Every school I visited gave me something to think about,” Cantwell said. “It wasn’t an easy decision. I wanted a place that believed in me as both a football player and a thrower. Somewhere I could grow and chase big goals in both sports.”
Enter the phone call that changed everything.
Cantwell was wrapping up a final round of discussions with coaches when his phone lit up with an unexpected number. On the other end of the line was Mitch Morse, a fellow Missouri native, former Mizzou lineman, and Super Bowl champion with the Buffalo Bills. Morse, who has been quietly mentoring young offensive linemen in the region, had heard about Cantwell through mutual connections and wanted to offer some personal insight.
“We talked for almost an hour,” Cantwell recalled. “He told me about his time at Mizzou, how the program shaped him, and how staying close to home doesn’t mean limiting your dreams. Hearing that from someone who’s been to the highest level made a big impact.”
According to Cantwell, Morse didn’t pitch Missouri outright. Instead, he spoke about character, resilience, and how to navigate the pressures of being a highly recruited athlete. “He told me to trust my heart, not the hype. That stuck with me,” Cantwell said.
That conversation, layered on top of the relationships he had already built with Mizzou’s coaching staff and the track and field program, gave Cantwell clarity. Within days, he knew where he wanted to be.
“It just felt right,” Cantwell said. “Mizzou’s the place I can be myself, compete at the highest level in both sports, and stay close to my support system.”
Cantwell’s commitment is a major win for Missouri, both from a football and track standpoint. On the gridiron, he’s projected as a future anchor on the offensive line, with the kind of upside that could lead to early NFL Draft consideration. In track and field, he brings national title potential in the shot put and discus, with some experts predicting he could challenge collegiate records before his time is up.
Missouri football head coach Eli Drinkwitz praised Cantwell’s maturity and vision for the future. “Jackson is a special young man. He’s not just physically gifted, but incredibly thoughtful about his journey. We’re thrilled he’s staying home and can’t wait to see what he does here.”
Likewise, Missouri track and field coach Brett Halter echoed those sentiments, emphasizing that Cantwell is one of the most exciting dual-sport prospects to come through the program in years. “We’re getting someone who can change the trajectory of our throwing events for years to come,” Halter said. “He’s got world-class potential, and we’re committed to helping him reach it.”
The dual-sport plan at Mizzou was a critical piece of the puzzle. Cantwell made it clear early in the process that he wasn’t willing to give up track, even as his football stock soared. Some programs wavered on fully supporting both. Missouri didn’t blink.
“They never tried to make me choose,” Cantwell said. “From day one, they showed me a plan that supports both. They believe I can excel in both. That meant a lot.”
His parents, both high-level athletes themselves, supported the process but never pushed. His father, John Cantwell, played in the NFL, while his mother’s Olympic gold medal hangs in the family’s home. Together, they helped Jackson evaluate each program based on culture, development, and long-term opportunities.
“We always told him to trust his instincts,” his mother said. “It’s his path. We’re proud of how thoughtful and grounded he’s been throughout.”
Cantwell plans to enroll early and hit the ground running in both sports. He’s already laid out an ambitious schedule that includes spring football and the NCAA outdoor track season. Balancing both won’t be easy, but Cantwell believes the structure and support at Missouri will help him manage it all.
“I know it’ll be a challenge, but I’m ready for it,” he said. “The best athletes push themselves. I’m excited to grow, to learn, and to compete.”
As for the call from Morse, Cantwell said it’s something he’ll always carry with him. “Sometimes, you just need to hear from someone who’s been through it,” he said. “That conversation reminded me of what matters most: being true to yourself.”
Now, with his future in place and the recruiting frenzy behind him, Cantwell can refocus on what he loves—competing. And whether he’s moving bodies on the offensive line or launching a 16-pound shot put across a field, the next chapter of Jackson Cantwell’s career promises to be as extraordinary as the journey that led him here.
“I’m all in,” Cantwell said. “Let’s go to work.”