NC State Lands 2 on 247’s Preseason 20 ACC 2025 Football Breakout Stars

247Sports recently released their Preseason 20 ACC 2025 Football Breakout Stars, and NC State landed two players on the list: Senior Linebacker Tra Thomas and Freshman Center Spike Sowells.

Here’s what they had to say about Thomas and Sowells:

TRA THOMAS, NC STATE LB

Although Tra Thomas wasn’t highly-ranked as a transfer, NC State’s staff expects him to be an impact performer for the Wolfpack this season. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Thomas tallied 72 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks the last three years at Temple, including 28 tackles and two sacks last season.

“With the changing of the defense from a 3-3-5 to a 4-2-5, he will play a critical role,” a source said. “He was recruited to Temple out of JUCO by (new NC State defensive coordinator) DJ Eliot. They have a previous relationship so it’s been easy for him to transition to the Power Four level and he knows the defense. He brings a good mix of power and speed as a pass rusher. He also has a big frame with the strength to go with it to assist in the run game.”

SPIKE SOWELLS, NC STATE OL
Spike Sowells, a true freshman, is competing with Purdue transfer Jalen Grant for NC State’s starting center job. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Sowell ranked as the No. 4 interior offensive lineman and No. 104 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.

“The kid is a dog,” a source said. “He has already established himself as a future captain.”

(247)