Isaac "Spike" Sowells has Three Finalists ahead of Final Decision

Ahead of a highly-anticipated announcement, coveted in-state offensive lineman Isaac “Spike” Sowells has narrowed his list of suitors to three.

Sowells shared on social media Thursday morning that he will choose between Kentucky, NC State, and South Carolina when he announces his college decision on Thursday, July 18.

An offensive center from Louisville Male High School, Sowells is a Top 500 player in the 2025 recruiting class. He’s the fourth-ranked player from the state of Kentucky and the No. 490 overall prospect in the country according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.

Sowells took official visits to each of his finalists during the active June recruiting period. Even though Male High School has long been a recruiting pipeline for the Louisville football program, this has been a lengthy battle between Kentucky and NC State. The Wolfpack have an advantage over the Cats in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Ahead of his decision, Sowells spoke with On3’s Steve Wiltfong about the top two teams in contention. He had a lot of nice things to say about NC State, potentially tipping his hand, but the draw of playing for his home state is certainly alluring.

“The ability to stay home and the amazing coaching staff,” Sowells said. “Coach Stoops has been there for a long time and I don’t see him ever leaving. The opportunities that are presented when being a home-state kid is also big.”

Kentucky currently has four players committed to join the Big Blue Wall in 2025, three offensive tackles and one offensive guard, Tucker Kattus.

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