Skip to main content
NC State

NC State OL Spike Sowells named to On3's True Freshman All-America Team

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman08/19/25fleischman_noah
Isaac Sowells Jr.
(Courtesy: Isaac Sowells Jr.'s Instagram)

NC State freshman offensive lineman Spike Sowells was one of the biggest rankings risers at the end of the 2025 cycle, pushing inside the top 150 nationally. He turned into one of the top center prospects in the nation by the time he enrolled in Raleigh in January.

Now, Sowells is viewed as one of the top freshmen in all of college football. On3 named the offensive lineman to its True Freshman All-America Team on Tuesday morning.

Sowells, a former four-star recruit, began fall camp as a contender to start at center in a position battle with Purdue transfer Jalen Grant. As he has competed for the spot, Sowells has become a sponge to gain as much information as possible to be able to use now or in the future, whenever he may see the field.

“It’s been great,” Sowells said of the competition earlier this month. “Of course, Jalen Grant and I, we sit next to each other in the meeting room, so I’m taking everything that I can from him to really help my game. You know, you have a six-year guy. He’s been through it all. So, I take everything.”

In addition to Sowell’s on field play, he was also a key recruiter during the Wolfpack’s official visit cycle. He appeared to host a visitor — or two — during each of the Pack’s critically-important weekends in June. And, in turn, Sowells appeared to grow into a future leader along the way.

Since he arrived on campus, Sowells appears to be a perfect fit for the Wolfpack. His demeanor on and off the field has been exactly what NC State is looking for. Add in his NFL pedigree, and there’s a clear reason why he made the True Freshman All-America Team heading into the 2025 campaign.

But, for Sowells, his biggest reason for playing at NC State is to be the next great center to play for the Wolfpack. The program has churned out several NFL centers since Dave Doeren’s arrival, including Garrett Bradbury and Dylan McMahon.

Sowells hopes to develop during his time with the program to follow in their footsteps in the coming years.

“I consider it a blessing to come through a center factory,” Sowells said. “Coach Doeren, he’s been here a long time. One great thing that he does is develop offensive lineman and that is one of the biggest reasons why I came here.”