2025 DL Jason Dowell commits to Missouri Tigers
Belleville (Ill.) Althoff Catholic three-star defensive lineman Jason Dowell has committed to Missouri, he announced on Friday.
Dowell chose the Tigers over offers from Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and a number of other programs.
The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder is the No. 530 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 43 defensive lineman and the No. 13 recruit in the state of Illinois.
He is the second commitment in the 2025 class for the Tigers, joining four-star Royersford (Pa.) Spring-Ford quarterback Matt Zollers.
Tigers looking to stack a major recruiting class together
With the winds of an 11-win season and Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State at their back, Eli Drinkwitz and Co. are looking to make a major splash in the 2025 class. Zollers was the first domino on that list.
St. Louis (Mo.) Christian Brothers four-star Corey Simms is another high-priority target, and the Tigers are currently trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).
“It excites me that I am being heavily recruited by my home state university,” Simms told On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “It excites me that the Mizzou staff keeps in communication with me and reminds me how much they would like me to be a part of their program. During my most recent visit it was exciting to have a chance to talk with the receivers coach throughout my visit. I enjoyed watching spring practice and becoming more familiar with how things are run. It was exciting for my mother and stepdad to join me in a conversation with Coach Drink. It was nice for us to get questions answered and converse with the head coach.
Things are picking up fast with Cocoa (Fla.) High On300 receiver Jayvan Boggs, and he and Zollers have also clicked fast.
“I love Mizzou coaching staff, the area and the message they give to me on what I would do when I get there!” Boggs said. He had a monster junior season turning 93 receptions into 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns en route to a state championship. “And they always preach to me the big impact I would have as a freshman if I chose Mizzou and that’s huge for me.”
Drinkwitz and offensive line coach Brandon Jones are trying to put together the nation’s best offensive line class and are also on the shortlist for Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest five-star Andrew Babalola.
“What excites me about Mizzou is the rise of the program over the past few years, and all of the momentum,” Babalola said. “What makes them a potential fit for me is my relationship with the coaching staff, and how I fit into their offense.”
Eureka (Mo.) High On300 offensive tackle Jack Lange is another coveted point-of-attack player and the Tigers are battling Michigan and Nebraska among others for him.