As Jason Dowell prepped for his final weeks of high school, he received word he won't be the only person in his family bound for Missouri.
Shannon Dowell, Jason's cousin, announced her transfer commitment to the women's basketball program Tuesday. Jason, a four-star defensive tackle in the 2025 class, inked his letter of intent in December, and now knowing his cousin will also be enrolled at Missouri, he couldn't be more excited.
"Having a family member that's as good as how she is at her sport, that's such a dope feeling," Jason said. "It's really motivating seeing someone, of course, that's from your family, your heritage. ... I expect her to go to the WNBA the way she's been rocking. If she keeps everything going, she'll be perfectly fine."
Jason got back to campus in early March with fellow signee Jack Lange. The two checked off pre-enrollment tasks while also taking in a practice to get a feel for the competition on the defensive line this upcoming season.
"It's also something that you can gain confidence from," Jason said. "Just go up there and see who you have to compete against, and I feel as though me going up there again, seeing what I saw, it's amazing. And I just can't wait to get there and start competing."
Finishing out his senior year at Belleville (Ill.) Althoff, Jason also wrapped up his wrestling career, and although he ended his season short of his goal in the state championship, he still learned more about himself, not only in wrestling, but about himself compared to the past few years.
Jason got into wrestling through his friend and current Missouri cornerback Nicholas Deloach Jr. The Illinois products, who met in middle school, will reunite next month, while also having another close friend, Chase Crawford, compete in track and field.
"He's such a good role model to me," Jason said of Deloach. "He's quiet. He's laid back. ... I can't thank him enough for being my friend. I love that guy truly."
There were times in his high school career where Jason considered quitting sports, but he leaned into his faith to appreciate his athletic gifts. He embraced his roles in baseball, football and wrestling to better not only his own play but also those around him.
"That's exactly what He wants me to do," Jason said, "and I'm just going to continue to walk in it for as long until He calls me to something else. ... I don't deserve any of it, but I will continue to use it, build his name and his glory, because at the end of the day, this isn't about me. My life isn't about me. It's about Him."
Jason also learned to embrace giving back to the next generation of athletes this past year. He saw others brush off autographs, conversations and photos due to the hectic environments after competitions.
"I never want to be that guy, no matter if I had a great day, had a bad day, I won or lost," Jason said. "At the end of the day, we're a form entertainment. ... For people to have the willingness to come up to us and ask about us, want a picture or an autograph, why would I not do that?"
Dowell, who finished his recruitment ranked No. 13 in Illinois, will enroll at Missouri this summer.
"I'm just mainly focused on having fun, being a kid for these next one or two months I have," Jason said, "because I know as soon as I get there, I'm in the ground, running, and I'm going to keep my eyes focused on the goal that God has for me."
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Shannon Dowell, Jason's cousin, announced her transfer commitment to the women's basketball program Tuesday. Jason, a four-star defensive tackle in the 2025 class, inked his letter of intent in December, and now knowing his cousin will also be enrolled at Missouri, he couldn't be more excited.
"Having a family member that's as good as how she is at her sport, that's such a dope feeling," Jason said. "It's really motivating seeing someone, of course, that's from your family, your heritage. ... I expect her to go to the WNBA the way she's been rocking. If she keeps everything going, she'll be perfectly fine."
Jason got back to campus in early March with fellow signee Jack Lange. The two checked off pre-enrollment tasks while also taking in a practice to get a feel for the competition on the defensive line this upcoming season.
"It's also something that you can gain confidence from," Jason said. "Just go up there and see who you have to compete against, and I feel as though me going up there again, seeing what I saw, it's amazing. And I just can't wait to get there and start competing."
Finishing out his senior year at Belleville (Ill.) Althoff, Jason also wrapped up his wrestling career, and although he ended his season short of his goal in the state championship, he still learned more about himself, not only in wrestling, but about himself compared to the past few years.
Jason got into wrestling through his friend and current Missouri cornerback Nicholas Deloach Jr. The Illinois products, who met in middle school, will reunite next month, while also having another close friend, Chase Crawford, compete in track and field.
"He's such a good role model to me," Jason said of Deloach. "He's quiet. He's laid back. ... I can't thank him enough for being my friend. I love that guy truly."
There were times in his high school career where Jason considered quitting sports, but he leaned into his faith to appreciate his athletic gifts. He embraced his roles in baseball, football and wrestling to better not only his own play but also those around him.
"That's exactly what He wants me to do," Jason said, "and I'm just going to continue to walk in it for as long until He calls me to something else. ... I don't deserve any of it, but I will continue to use it, build his name and his glory, because at the end of the day, this isn't about me. My life isn't about me. It's about Him."
Jason also learned to embrace giving back to the next generation of athletes this past year. He saw others brush off autographs, conversations and photos due to the hectic environments after competitions.
"I never want to be that guy, no matter if I had a great day, had a bad day, I won or lost," Jason said. "At the end of the day, we're a form entertainment. ... For people to have the willingness to come up to us and ask about us, want a picture or an autograph, why would I not do that?"
Dowell, who finished his recruitment ranked No. 13 in Illinois, will enroll at Missouri this summer.
"I'm just mainly focused on having fun, being a kid for these next one or two months I have," Jason said, "because I know as soon as I get there, I'm in the ground, running, and I'm going to keep my eyes focused on the goal that God has for me."

Mizzou signee Jason Dowell motivated by cousin, new Tiger Shannon Dowell
When Jason Dowell enrolls this summer, he won't be the only athlete from his family playing at Missouri.