Missouri’s football program has secured a promising addition to its future roster, as Dane Olmstead, a highly regarded specialist from Freeburg, Illinois, announced on Thursday that he will join the Tigers as part of their 2027 recruiting class. The commitment adds a talented local punter and kicker to Missouri’s pipeline and further strengthens the team’s long-term plans for special teams.
Olmstead has already established himself as one of the most impressive specialists in his class. According to evaluations from Kohl’s Kicking Camps, one of the most recognized training and evaluation programs for kicking specialists in the country, he has earned a five-star rating as both a punter and a kicker. Within the national rankings for the 2027 class, Olmstead is currently regarded as the fourth-best punter in the nation. Such recognition highlights both his technical ability and his potential to compete at the highest levels of college football.
His reputation grew even stronger following an outstanding performance at the 2025 Kohl’s Midwest Winter Showcase, where he captured first place in the punting competition. The event brings together many of the top kicking prospects from across the Midwest and beyond, making it an important stage for young specialists to demonstrate their skills in front of evaluators and college recruiters. Olmstead’s victory there reinforced his standing as one of the premier punters in his recruiting class.
While football is a major focus of his athletic career, Olmstead’s achievements are not limited to the gridiron. He is also an accomplished wrestler, demonstrating remarkable strength, discipline, and competitiveness in another demanding sport. Competing in the 215-pound weight class, Olmstead won the Illinois Class 1A state wrestling championship. That accomplishment speaks not only to his athletic versatility but also to his mental toughness and work ethic—qualities that often translate well to success in football.
Training and mentorship have also played a role in Olmstead’s development as a specialist. He works closely with Austin Seibert, a former standout kicker at Oklahoma who earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors during his collegiate career. Seibert later went on to play six seasons in the National Football League, gaining valuable professional experience. Learning under the guidance of a former elite college and NFL kicker provides Olmstead with insights into advanced techniques, preparation strategies, and the mindset required to succeed at the next level.
Beyond Olmstead’s commitment, there are several other developments and updates within Missouri athletics as part of the latest edition of “The Buzz,” dated March 20. One of the most notable upcoming events is Missouri football’s Pro Day, scheduled for Friday morning. Pro Day serves as an important opportunity for players hoping to reach the professional ranks to showcase their skills in front of scouts and representatives from NFL teams. Participants perform a variety of drills designed to evaluate their speed, strength, agility, and positional skills.
A number of former Missouri players will take part in this year’s workouts. Among the participants is tight end Vince Brown II, who will look to demonstrate his receiving and blocking abilities. Defensive backs Daylan Carnell and Jalen Catalon are also scheduled to participate as they aim to impress scouts with their coverage skills and athleticism.
Wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. will be another player to watch during the event, as he hopes to showcase his route-running and pass-catching abilities. Fellow defensive back Stephen Hall will also participate, along with defensive lineman Bralen Henderson, who will attempt to highlight his strength and explosiveness in drills designed for linemen.
Linebacker Khalil Jacobs and wide receiver Xavier Loyd are also among the participants. Defensive lineman Chris McClellan will look to display his pass-rushing potential, while linebacker Triston Newson will aim to show his versatility and tackling ability. Defensive back Drey Norwood is another player hoping to make a strong impression during the workouts.
Additional defensive talent participating includes Toriano Pride Jr., another defensive back looking to demonstrate his skills to NFL scouts. On the offensive line, center Connor Tollison and offensive lineman Keagen Trost will both participate as they attempt to highlight their blocking technique and physical strength.
Linebacker Josiah Trotter is also part of the group preparing for the event. Defensive lineman Sterling Webb and defensive end Zion Young round out the list of defensive front participants. Special teams will also be represented by punter Connor Wesselman, who will have the chance to show off his punting power and accuracy.
Missouri athletics has also seen recognition for its student-athletes beyond the playing field. Missouri gymnastics graduate Makayla Green was recently honored by being named to the Southeastern Conference Community Service Team. This recognition celebrates student-athletes who make meaningful contributions to their communities while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics and academics.
Green’s dedication to service has been impressive. Over the course of the school year, she completed 37 hours of community service across 19 separate events. Her efforts demonstrate the program’s emphasis not only on athletic success but also on leadership, volunteerism, and giving back to the community.
Turning to recent competition results, Missouri wrestling had an eventful first day at the NCAA Championships. Wrestlers Cam Steed and Aeoden Sinclair both advanced to the quarterfinals after strong performances in the opening rounds. Their progress helped keep Missouri competitive in the team standings.
After the first day of action, Missouri currently sits in 15th place overall. The team compiled a 5–2 record during Session I, showing a strong start to the tournament. However, Session II proved more challenging, with the Tigers posting a 2–4 record during that portion of the competition. Despite the mixed results, the advancement of key wrestlers keeps the team in contention for further progress as the championships continue.
Missouri’s women’s basketball team also celebrated a significant victory. The Tigers defeated Seton Hall 67–57 in the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). The win allowed Missouri to advance further in postseason play and showcased the team’s resilience and competitive spirit.
In tennis competition, Missouri experienced a split set of results. The team secured a convincing 4–0 victory over Eastern Kentucky, demonstrating strong play across multiple matches. However, later competition against LSU proved more difficult, with Missouri falling 4–0 in that contest.
Looking ahead, Missouri athletics has a busy schedule on Friday across multiple sports. Wrestling will continue its participation in the NCAA Championships in Cleveland. The day’s action includes Session III beginning at 11 a.m. and Session IV scheduled for 7 p.m., with Missouri wrestlers hoping to advance deeper into the tournament.
Missouri softball will face a major challenge as it takes on Alabama, a team ranked fourth and sixth in national polls. The matchup will provide an opportunity for the Tigers to test themselves against one of the top programs in the country.
Missouri baseball will also be in action, traveling to face Tennessee. That game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network+. Fans will be able to follow the action through live viewing, radio coverage, and updated game statistics.
Men’s basketball will also take center stage Friday night as Missouri competes in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers will face Miami in a game scheduled for 9:10 p.m. in St. Louis. The matchup will be broadcast on truTV, with fans able to follow the contest through television, radio, and live statistical updates.
Track and field athletes from Missouri will be competing in the Yellow Jacket Invitational in Atlanta, Georgia. The meet provides another opportunity for Missouri athletes to record strong performances and prepare for upcoming championship events.
Meanwhile, the Missouri women’s golf team will begin play at the MountainView Collegiate in Tucson, Arizona. The tournament’s first day will feature multiple rounds of competition, with live scoring updates available throughout the event.
Finally, Missouri’s swim and dive team will continue competing at the Women’s NCAA Championships. Day three of the competition will feature additional races and events as the Tigers aim to produce strong finishes against some of the nation’s best swimmers.
Altogether, Missouri athletics continues to experience a busy and exciting period, highlighted by recruiting success, postseason competition, and recognition for student-athletes both on and off the field. Dane Olmstead’s commitment adds another promising athlete to the program’s future, while the ongoing performances across multiple sports demonstrate the depth and strength of Missouri’s athletic programs.
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