Freshman football player at NC State claims that his destiny is to excel at the center position
Rising Star Spike Sowells Battles for Starting Center Role at NC State
Spike Sowells, a highly-rated freshman center for NC State, is currently competing for the starting center position on the Wolfpack offensive line during his true freshman season. The 6-foot-2, 312-pound recruit, who joined the team as the highest-rated player of the 2025 class, has been making waves in Raleigh with his potential to become a breakout star and a key part of NC State’s future.
Sowells enrolled early at NC State and participated in spring practices, which has helped him adjust to the college game more quickly than typical freshmen. His coach and teammates view him as embodying the team’s "hard, tough, together" motto. Although some programs considered him undersized, NC State staff focused on his talent and ability to develop into a top-level center.
Sowells is learning and competing for the starting spot alongside Jalen Grant, a graduate transfer from Purdue. Coaches have expressed confidence in Sowells’s potential, and while his playing time as a freshman is not guaranteed, there is optimism about his future impact on the team. He is also focused on growth and versatility, learning from veteran linemen in the program during the preseason.
Sowells' father, Isaac Sowells Sr., initially believed that Spike would become a center. His dreams seem to have been realised, as Coach Doeren described Sowells as one of the best true centers the school has recruited during his tenure. Sowells himself has set a clear goal of playing three to four years at NC State before pursuing a career in the NFL.
Sowells' family plans to attend as many games as possible at N.C. State, and he is committed to getting N.C. State to win an ACC Championship and achieve a 10-win season. The young center has been in regular contact with N.C. State's offensive line coach Garrett Tujague for the past two years, and his commitment to learning all three offensive line positions and staying in Raleigh for three to four years before moving on to the National Football League is evident.
Sowells was listed as one of the best interior offensive linemen in the country, earning a four-star rating by 247Sports, On3, and Rivals. He was also ranked in the national top 10 after an impressive showing at the annual high school All-America game. His family believes he was destined to play football, and Sowells himself is determined to make the most of his opportunity at NC State.
N.C. State has been a consistent team during Coach Doeren’s tenure, with more than 28 of his former players earning spots on 2025 NFL Training Camp rosters, including eight offensive linemen and three centers. Sowells, with his potential and dedication, could very well add to that impressive list in the coming years.
Sources: [1] https://247sports.com/college/nc-state/Article/NC-State-football-Spike-Sowells-offensive-line-battle-Jalen-Grant-176043362/ [2] https://www.si.com/college/nc-state/football/nc-state-football-recruiting-center-spike-sowells-commits-dave-doeren-2025-class-1676507698844/ [4] https://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NC-State-landing-top-2025-center-Spike-Sowells-is-a-big-get-for-the-Wolfpack/ [5] https://www.packpride.com/2023/2/18/25490423/nc-state-football-recruiting-spike-sowells-offensive-line-jalen-grant-competition-hard-tough-together
Spike Sowells' aspirations extend beyond his current role as a fighting center at NC State, as he aims to play in the NFL, following in the footsteps of the numerous Wolfpack players who have found success in American football's top league, the NFL. Sowells' potential to excel in the sport is further cemented by his four-star rating from 247Sports, On3, and Rivals, highlighting his prowess in American-style sports, particularly football.
