RELEASE – Nixa, Missouri (December 10, 2025) – In its 41st year celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their excellence in sport, academics and community, Gatorade today announced Jackson Cantwell of Nixa High School in Nixa, Missouri as the 2025-26 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year. Cantwell was selected from more than one million other student-athletes who play high school football nationwide, joining an elite legacy of former Gatorade National Football Player of the Year athletes who have combined for more than six NFL MVPs awards, 31 Pro Bowl appearances, seven NFL first round draft picks and two became Hall of Famers.
This morning, former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas surprised Cantwell with the award at school surrounded by his teammates, family and friends. Following the surprise, Cantwell got a taste of the pro athlete experience with a styling session, photoshoot, media interviews and more. Assets from the day can be found here.
“There is such incredible talent among the nearly one million student-athletes across the country who compete in high school football, paired with the criteria of being outstanding on and off the field,” said Jennifer Schmit, Senior Director, Gatorade Brand Marketing. “It’s a testament to Jackson’s hard work and achievements that he has stood out amongst the competition across the whole nation.”
Championing The Next Generation
Receiving the honor of Gatorade Player of the Year is more than a trophy. It’s a celebration of the whole athlete and opportunity to propel their future career through support and opportunities only Gatorade can provide because of its legacy in sport culture, product superiority and expertise in sports science.
Starting this year, Gatorade will provide the National Player of the Year athletes with ongoing support from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) so they can perform and recover at their best. The athletes will work with a team of GSSI scientists and have the opportunity to undergo testing at a GSSI Lab, equipping them with personalized hydration and fuel plans – built to unlock their full potential and fuel success for years to come.
The brand will also elevate these athletes by including them in brand moments, events and community initiatives throughout the year – amplifying their journey, celebrating their achievements and providing ongoing opportunities to inspire others.
All-Around Excellence
Gatorade Player of the Year athletes are not only the best of the best in their respective sports, but they also serve as role models for the next generation of greats.
Community: A regular at Nixa’s weekly Leadership Academy, a meeting that explores leadership skills, Cantwell has volunteered locally at the Least of These Food Pantry, the only full-service pantry serving Christian County. He has also donated his time as a peer tutor and a youth track coach.
Academics: Cantwell has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. At the time of his selection, he had made a verbal commitment to receive athletic aid to play football at the University of Miami next fall.
“Jackson is the top offensive line prospect to come out of the last several recruiting cycles,” said Steven Wilfong, VP of Recruiting for 247Sports. “He brings a terrific blend of size, power and athleticism along with a high football IQ – it’s easy to see why he was so heavily coveted by the nation’s top programs, and he should be an immediate difference-maker for Miami. Jackson’s an explosive player on the line of scrimmage who the Hurricanes are going to be able to run behind for years to come.”
