The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532241
MARCH/APRIL 2025 ■ 37 including home-state school Kentucky, but the Pack emerged with his signa- ture. While Sowells' addition was a win for NC State's offensive front, he wasn't the only lineman to come aboard. Offensive line coach Garett Tujague helped sign three others: four-star tackle Ta'Khyian Whitset of Nashville (Tenn.) Antioch, three-star tackle Michael Gibbs of Wilmington (N.C.) Hoggard, and three- star guard Kage Payne of Kings Mills (Ohio) High. Sowells, though, was the biggest name in that quartet. The January en- rollee has the skill set to become an early contributor to the Wolfpack — perhaps as soon as this coming fall. He finished the recruiting cycle as On3's No. 162 overall player nationally, making him the highest-rated member of NC State's class. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound center was touted by Charles Power, On3's direc- tor of scouting and rankings, as one of the top interior offensive linemen in the class. Power watched Sowells compete at the Navy All-American Bowl in Janu- ary and came away impressed. "After a sterling week in San Anto- nio, Sowells has made a case as one of the top true centers in the 2025 cycle," Power wrote. "We expect him to make an early impact at NC State and be a multiyear starter at the college level. Few 2025 offensive linemen are more ready to play right now than the Wolf- pack signee." Targeting The Carolinas With so many states represented, including seven players from Florida alone, this year's signing class has a na- tional feel to it. But even while it was broadening its reach, the Wolfpack was able to reel in five prep players from the Carolinas. Four-star receiver Je'rel Bolder of Marshville (N.C.) Forest Hills, the No. 11 player in the state, was the Pack's high- est-rated recruit from the region, while three-star quarterback Will Wilson of Columbia (S.C.) Richland Northeast wasn't far behind as the nation's No. 40 signal-caller, per On3's scouts. "The class starts — and started — with our quarterback commit, Will Wilson," Doeren said. "I'm so excited Omarian "OJ" Abraham DT 6-2 290 Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./American Heritage HHH Finished with 75 tackles, including 14 for loss and 3 sacks, during his junior year. Je'rel Bolder WR 6-0 195 Fr. Wingate, N.C./Forest Hills HHHH Listed by On3 as the No. 268 overall player and No. 39 receiver in the 2025 class … Surpassed 3,000 career receiving yards at Forest Hills. Ke'Von Carter LB 6-2 205 Fr. San Antonio, Texas/Karen Wagner HHH Changed his commitment from Texas State to NC State in January after logging 63 tackles, including 11 for loss and 2 sacks, as a senior. Colby Cronk DE 6-3 260 Fr. Palm Coast, Fla./Flagler HHH Finished his high school career with 283 tackles in 34 games, including 201 solo stops, 101 tackles for loss and 50 sacks. Deandre Desinor RB 5-9 175 Fr. Delray Beach, Fla./Atlantic HHH Flipped from West Virginia to NC State in January after rushing for 711 yards and 8 touchdowns as a senior. Preston Douglas TE 6-3 200 Fr. Jupiter, Fla./The Benjamin School HHH Listed by On3 as the No. 65 tight end in the 2025 class … Flipped from South Carolina to NC State in October. Terris Dudley LB 6-3 240 Fr. Hilliard, Ohio/Bradley HHHH Totaled 176 tackles and 3 interceptions during his high school career … Listed by On3 as the nation's No. 240 overall prospect … Flipped to NC State from Toledo in November. Adrian Farrow DL 6-3 240 Fr. Miami/Norland HHH Totaled 18 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 12 games as a senior … Flipped to NC State from Florida At- lantic in February. Michael Gibbs OL 6-4 304 Fr. Wilmington, N.C./John T. Hoggard HHH Was a four-year varsity starter and a third-team all-state selection as a senior. Wolfpack Football's 2025 High School/Junior College Class Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Elig. Home/School Rating* Continues on next page Three-star quarterback Will Wilson is one of five players from the Carolinas in NC State's 2025 class. Wilson starred at Richland Northeast High in Columbia, S.C. PHOTO COURTESY WILL WILSON