Fifteen days after securing its first commitment for the 2025 recruiting class, Missouri has added another highly rated recruit, this time from the defensive side of the ball.
Jason Dowell, who currently plays for Althoff Catholic in Belleville, IL, is a versatile athlete who plays multiple positions, including defensive end, defensive tackle, and offensive tackle. While he also plays left tackle for his high school team, Dowell is being recruited primarily as a defender.
Retaining local talent is crucial for Missouri, especially when it comes to high-caliber recruits like Dowell, who hails from the St. Louis metro area, a rich recruiting ground.
Dowell’s fit at Missouri appears to be on the interior of the defensive line. While there isn’t an abundance of film available, what is accessible shows Dowell making plays, often due to opposing offensive linemen missing assignments. His edge play is less impressive, with most of his impact coming from plays that run directly at him or quarterbacks making errors.
However, his interior film demonstrates his ability to handle double teams, use effective interior moves, and disrupt plays or make tackles himself. Despite being rated as a 3-star recruit by most services, Rivals rates him slightly higher as a low 4-star prospect. Dowell’s true potential may become more apparent during his senior year, especially if he continues to excel on the interior and maintains a consistent performance level.
In terms of when Dowell might see playing time, it’s likely to be around two years from now, as high school defensive linemen recruited by Coach Drinkwitz typically have a similar timeline. With Kristian Williams expected to depart after this season, there’s no immediate pressure to rush Dowell into the lineup.
Adding Dowell to the roster is not only a boost in talent but also enhances Missouri’s recruiting reputation. Coach Drinkwitz’s efforts to recruit and retain local blue-chip talents have been successful, improving the program’s standing both in terms of reputation and roster strength. Dowell’s commitment is another positive step for a program that is becoming increasingly adept at securing significant recruiting victories.
