University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Add to Offensive Line With Pair of FBS Transfers
05/02/2025 | Football
Richmond, Va.— University of Richmond head football coach Russ Huesman has announced the addition of two FBS transfer offensive linemen to his team's 2025 roster: Jason Smith II from North Carolina and JT Sowell from Appalachian State. Both arrive as redshirt freshmen with four full years of eligibility remaining.
Smith, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound native of Wilmington, N.C., brings a strong high school pedigree. A four-year letterwinner at Hoggard High School, he played in the 2023 Shrine Bowl and earned an invitation to the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl. Smith was a three-time Coastal Preps First Team selection, three-time MEC First Team All-Conference honoree, and three-time Star News All-Area pick. A two-time team captain, he also competed in basketball for three seasons and distinguished himself academically as an AP and Honors student.
Sowell, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 275 pounds, hails from Gray Collegiate Academy and brings versatility to the offensive line, having played all five positions up front. A two-time First Team All-State selection, he helped guide his team to a 15-win senior season, four regional championships, three Upper State title appearances, two Upper State championships, and a state title in 2021. Sowell consistently graded out above 90 percent during his high school career and was selected to play in the Touchstone Energy Bowl. He was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ranked the No. 14 center nationally by ESPN.
The Spiders will open the 2025 season Aug. 30 on the road against Lehigh.
