NC State got the kind of update every offensive line wants to hear on a Monday: Spike Sowells Jr. is expected to be ready for Vanderbilt.
Dave Doeren said at his weekly press conference that the starting center should be available when the Wolfpack heads to Nashville this weekend, easing the concern that followed Sowells’ early exit from NC State’s 73-0 win over Richmond.
“He’s doing great. No, he’s doing really good. Totally expect him to be ready.”
That matters, because Vanderbilt presents a very different test than Richmond did. Doeren pointed out that the Commodores bring a mix of pressure looks and disguise packages, which puts a premium on communication and quick recognition up front. Keeping CJ Bailey protected and sorting out where pressure is coming from will be a major part of NC State’s path to a win.
Sowells’ health also preserves the Wolfpack’s best option in the middle of the line. When he went down against Richmond, Teague Andersen moved from starting right tackle to center. It was a notable display of flexibility from a veteran lineman who had not taken a game snap at center in his NC State career, though he has practiced there and had minimal experience at the spot during his time at Utah State.
Texas transfer Daniel Cruz also got reps at center late in the shutout, giving NC State another answer if needed. But getting Sowells back removes the need to shuffle pieces around.
That’s especially important given what Sowells has already shown in a short time with the Wolfpack. Last season, as a true freshman, he played in nine games and earned PFF Freshman All-American honors after posting a 69.0 overall grade, the second-best mark on NC State’s offensive line behind Jacarrius Peak.
He began that season as a reserve, then started at right guard in each of his final six appearances. That run made him the first true freshman to start a game on the offensive line for NC State since Ickey Ekwonu in 2019.
Center was always the more natural fit for Sowells, but Jalen Grant held that job last season, and NC State prioritized getting its five best linemen on the field. That pushed Sowells to right guard. With Grant gone, Sowells moved back to center for his second year in the program.
Through two games, he has a 66.9 overall PFF grade, and his biggest impact has come in pass protection. His 84.5 pass-blocking grade ranks second on the team.
That kind of stability in the middle is exactly what NC State wants as the schedule gets tougher. Sowells arrived as the highest-ranked member of the Wolfpack’s 2025 recruiting class according to Rivals, a four-star prospect ranked No. 145 nationally, No. 9 among interior offensive linemen and No. 1 in Kentucky.
Now, after proving himself early as a true freshman, he’s back in the role that fits him best, and NC State appears set to have him there against Vanderbilt.
In Other News...
NC State Must Adjust Fast For Vanderbilts New-Look Quarterback
Vanderbilt is bringing a different look into its matchup with NC State, and it starts at quarterback. Curtis, one of the nations highly regarded 2026 prospects, is expected to get the nod after stepping in for the starter in recent games and settling in quickly enough to change the feel of the offense. For a Wolfpack defense that is still sorting out its own early-season answers, that means prep time matters, because the Commodores are no longer operating with the same script they began the year with.
The quarterback change is only part of what makes Vanderbilt tricky right now. Graduate linebacker Nick Rinaldi has helped anchor the defense, defensive lineman Ouattara has been part of the push up front and transfer defensive back Jones has added stability on the back end, all of it feeding into the teams strong start. NC State has to account for that broader picture while adjusting to a new signal-caller, and the balance between containing Curtis and handling the Commodores other playmakers may decide how quickly the Wolfpack can settle in. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Turned To A Former Soccer Standout In A Kicking Emergency
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The move happened fast, but Lovelace adapted quickly enough to earn a debut in front of nearly 60,000 fans and deliver a kickoff touchback. Coaches have pointed to the ease of his transition and the work ethic that helped him get there, a useful reminder of how quickly college rosters can change when one emergency leads to another. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Enters A Stretch That Could Heat Up Dave Doeren Fast
After a rocky opening stretch, NC State is headed into a run that could tell a lot about where Dave Doerens program stands in the broader coaching carousel conversation. The Wolfpacks recent games have already sharpened the scrutiny around the season, and the schedule ahead now gives them a chance to change the tone quickly if the team can put together a cleaner stretch.
For Doeren, the stakes are familiar: keep the Wolfpack moving in the right direction and the noise fades, but stumble through the next few weeks and the questions around the program only get louder. In a year when several Power Four jobs are already drawing attention, NC State does not need much more turbulence, which makes this upcoming stretch one of the more important ones on the calendar. [Read more 🡒]