When you’re the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 class, life moves at a breakneck pace. For Jackson Cantwell, Nixa High School’s five-star offensive lineman and multi-sport phenom, the past week has been a whirlwind of championship battles, high-stakes campus visits, and prestigious nominations.

Cantwell’s larger-than-life presence extends beyond his stature and on-field dominance. As the son of Olympians Christian and Teri Cantwell, he’s inherited an athletic DNA. Christian, a five-time world champion in shot put and 2008 Olympic silver medalist, and Teri, a two-time NCAA shot put champion and 2000 Olympian, have instilled in their son a work ethic that matches his natural gifts.

Despite a tough loss in the Missouri Class 6 state championship last Friday, where Nixa fell to De Smet 35-20, Cantwell’s season has been nothing short of fabulous. Leading his team to a 13-0 record before the title game, he proved why he’s the most coveted recruit in his class. College football powerhouses, including Ohio State and Michigan, are lining up for his December visits. The stakes are especially high as Cantwell’s December 15 stop in Ann Arbor comes on the heels of four straight Michigan victories over Ohio State—a streak Buckeye fans are desperate to break. But amid his rigorous schedule, the 17-year-old received a surprise that not only turned heads but also added a touch of luxury to his already star-studded journey.

The 6-foot-8, 300-pound deemed “Mr. Olympics” shared an Instagram story to share a special gift from the luxury designer brand, Emporio Armani that got him sorted for future events, smelling just how the No. 1 prospect of the class should be, ready to take visits to big Ryan Day and Sherrone Moore led programs: A package featuring the designer brand’s “Stronger With You” cologne. Alongside a sleek catalog, “Big thanks to Armani fragrance for sending me some cologne! Their ‘Stronger With You’ is 🔥🔥🔥,” he wrote, tagging the iconic brand in his post.

The Armani gift symbolizes more than just luxury; it’s a testament to Cantwell’s burgeoning stardom. High school players rarely attract much attention from global brands, but Cantwell isn’t your average athlete. His combination of talent, charisma, and pedigree makes him a magnet for opportunities on and off the field. Cantwell has reportedly received 30 offers so far. But where does his heart lie?

In a conversation with On3’s Philip Duke, Cantwell revealed how he sorts his schools. “I’m open to playing basically anywhere. But what I figured out is just kind of two groups of schools for me. It’s just like national powerhouses and then like local schools that I like a lot, that are kind of, they’re trending up as well,” he said.

Among national powerhouses are Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and Oregon. As Cantwell points out, they are among the top teams year after year. Also, a lot of players from these schools go pro every year. Despite offers from several schools, his ties with Missouri could influence his decision. “There’s only really two schools I have a lot of ties to and my dad went to Missouri so that’d be the other one,” he said. The other school on his radar will be Nebraska, where he has family roots.

It’s not hard to imagine him stepping onto college campuses—or gala red carpets—with an aura that screams both dominance and sophistication. Interestingly, the cologne seems to have come just in time for the 5-Star’s upcoming gala event, where he’s set to represent as one of three finalists for a major national award.

Jackson Cantwell’s is in line for national honor

While the elite high schooler was already playing well, he will now also look good and smell good , thanks to the pricy cologne from the big designer brand. The standout athlete has been named the 2024-25 Gatorade Missouri Football Player of the Year, marking the first time a player from Nixa has earned this prestigious honor. As if that’s not impressive enough, Cantwell is also one of three finalists for the National Player of the Year honor, an accolade reserved for the absolute best of the best in high school sports.

On the field, Cantwell is a human wrecking ball. Anchoring an offensive line that powered a jaw-dropping offense averaging 44.8 points per game and 9.3 yards per play, he racked up 153 pancake blocks—and even ran in a touchdown for good measure. Republic High coach Ryan Cornelsen summed it up best: “If he gets locked on your defensive player, they have little to no chance of getting off.”

But it’s not just his on-field dominance that sets Cantwell apart. A two-sport Gatorade honoree (he also won for Boys Track & Field last year), he shines off the field too. Cantwell volunteers at the Least of This Food Pantry, tutors, peers, and coaches youth track. A powerhouse with heart, Jackson Cantwell is truly the total package.