Isaac Sowells, Male offensive lineman, No. 4 player in Kentucky, commits to NC State

Male High School offensive lineman Isaac "Spike" Sowells , one of Kentucky's top football players in the Class of 2025, announced his commitment to N.C. State on Thursday.

Other schools Sowells considered included Kentucky and South Carolina .

"I made my phone calls on Sunday, so that made it a lot easier. The piano is off my back, so just being able to finally finish this process and then get ready to really focus on my senior season feels great to kind of get it over," Sowells said.

He went to church Sunday morning and prayed on his decision, asking God, "Where do you see I should go? Wherever he felt, I felt that was right for me."

Sowells made his commitment in front of friends and family cheering him on, including an emotional dad who has coached him in football since Spike was 5 years old.

"I have a younger son and (Spike) is like, 'You know it's time for you to spend more time with him. You've done everything you could do to help me get to this point," said Spikes' father, Isaac Sowells, a former NFL player. "Him becoming a man, that was tough for me. You know, I'm proud of him."

Sowells is the No. 4 prospect in Kentucky, the No. 31 interior offensive lineman and the No. 504 player in the Class of 2025, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

As a junior, he was selected for The Courier Journal's All-State team.

Sowells anchored the Bulldogs' offensive line last season, when Male rushed for 1,820 yards (14th in the state).

Sowells said the beginning of his high school football career was challenging because he didn't see the field much as a freshman and he had to overcome some minor injuries. "I found my way to push past that adversity and just keep moving on my path to greatness."

Male head coach Chris Wolfe said that in 25 years as a head coach, 26 starting this season, he has had multiple Division I players at skill positions, but he has never had an offensive lineman — until now.

"Spike is a phenomenal student. He has a 3.8-3.9 GPA. He's a yes, sir or no, sir. You know, just a phenomenal character guy, great in the classroom, and then you get him on the football field and he's just unique," Wolfe said. "He is the nicest guy I've ever seen drive people into the dirt. Not only drive people into the dirt. He'll drive them into the bench, and if you've watched any of his highlights and get a chance to look at it, he absolutely will dominate people and put them in the bench. But he is the nicest guy to talk to, so somehow, he turns that switch and it's something special."

Sowells has left an everlasting impact on teachers, students and administrators at Male and has stamped his legacy forever.

"Our motto in athletics is character, commitment and championships," Male athletics director John Kelsey said. "This is my 16th year as athletic director of Male. ... I've been blessed to see some great kids going to college. We've not had one as higher character than Spike. Obviously, he's committed to being the best every day. Love watching him play football, and, of course, compete for championships."

Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Isaac Sowells, Male offensive lineman, No. 4 player in Kentucky, commits to NC State