What NC State OL Spike Sowells believes it will take to start as a true freshman

NC State freshman center Spike Sowells has faint memories of his father’s NFL playing career. He was born a year after Isaac Sr. was drafted with the 112th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2006, so Sowell’s formative years were spent around the sport.

While the recollections are fuzzy, Sowells does remember wearing his father’s helmet and cleats as a toddler, which was cemented into history through photos over the years. 

But even though he may not recall seeing his father play on the Browns’ offensive line, when Sowells arrived in Raleigh for the Wolfpack’s Military Bowl preparations and spring practice, he was surprised at what he was able to find. 

Sowells, like the rest of the Pack’s players, has a team-issued iPad to watch film from both the college and NFL ranks dating back to the past decade. Although he wasn’t sure if his father’s playing days would be on the database, Sowells had to check. 

Sure enough, he was able to find a preseason game of his father’s against the New York Jets. The video was slightly grainy, but being able to see his father play on the offensive line seemed to bring a smile to his face. 

Now, Sowells is striving to reach that same point in his own playing career. 

“Being in that environment, it just molded me,” Sowells said of growing up with a former NFL offensive lineman for a father.

Sowells’ first step on the track of making it to the NFL? Enrolling as early as possible to get a head start on his college football career and development within the NC State football program. And so far, as spring practice winds down, Sowells has been able to see the fruits of his labor of leaving Louisville (Ky.) Male High School early. 

“The best thing I could have done was come early,” Sowells said with a grin. “Getting to practice in spring ball, it’s a big jump going from high school guys to grown men, I can say that.”

Sowells, a four-star recruit, has his sights set on earning the starting center position in fall camp. It’s an open battle after Zeke Correll, who allowed just seven quarterback pressures a year ago, exhausted his eligibility. And the first-year collegiate player is in the thick of the center competition. 

Along with Sowells, Purdue graduate transfer Jalen Grant and redshirt junior Rylan Vann are also competing to earn the first-string role as the Pack’s anchor of the offensive line. So far, it seems that Grant could have the leg up in the battle going into the fall, but Sowells doesn’t seem too far behind.

Sowells has embraced the battle with the more-veteran offensive linemen, including Grant, who has started 12 games at center with 27 starts at guard in his collegiate career between Bowling Green and Purdue, according to Pro Football Focus. 

But what would it take for Sowells, a freshman, to start in one of the most crucial spots of the Wolfpack offense? He explained it through three key traits: Physicality, mental ability and being comfortable being vocal to older players. 

NC State Director of Strength and Conditioning Dantonio Burnette and his staff seemed to have accomplished that first pillar as Sowells is an imposing figure, though the summer workout regimen will be crucial going into the fall. 

The mental side of the position, meanwhile, doesn’t seem to be an issue for Sowells. He pointed to his father teaching him the sport at a young age, so picking up a college playbook has been almost second nature for the up-and-coming center. 

While Sowells may “know the playbook like the back of my hand,” his ability to lead is vital. And that means barking orders to several players that have been at the college level for two or three seasons. Sowells, though, seems like he’s on the right track with that. 

“I have to tell grown men — Jacarrius Peak, he’s been playing for two or three years — these guys have been in college football for a long time,” Sowells said. “So just being able to find the confidence to lead these guys as a guy that just turned 18 a few months ago [is important].”

In addition to battling at center, Sowells has been able to put his versatility on display at guard this spring. He is likely to appear on the Wolfpack’s two-deep as a center this fall, and Sowells’ ability to slot into the college game as seamlessly as he has at this point has impressed those around him. 

Grant, who is entering his sixth year of college football, has seen what makes Sowells a special prospect up close each and every day as the two battle for the same spot on the practice field.

“I love his energy,” Grant said. “He’s just a very knowledgeable person. He wants to learn all the time. … I feel like Spike has a great future ahead of him and he’s going to be a dog one day. But he’s a dog right now, too.”