A Rocky Start Turns Into a Fresh Start
In December 2022, Colorado’s coaching staff, led by Deion Sanders, told Chase Sowell that he was not good enough for the program. The blunt assessment left the young receiver with hard feelings, but it also sparked a determination that would shape his next moves.
Rather than stay, Sowell transferred to East Carolina, then to Iowa State, and finally to Penn State, where he arrived as a redshirt senior and quickly earned a starting role. Now he is a veteran presence in the offense and a primary target for quarterback Rocco Becht, with personal goals of reaching 1,000 receiving yards and double‑digit touchdowns.
Sowell’s path was not linear. He began his college career with a focus on baseball, a background that his roommate Ben Brahmer says contributes to his elite speed and strength. The experience of moving across states — Colorado, North Carolina, and Iowa — has given him a perspective that he credits to the coaching philosophy of finding and developing talent.
The result has been a rapid ascent: he was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year with Iowa State and posted 500 receiving yards before joining Penn State. His story, as described by those around him, reflects a relentless work ethic and an ability to turn early rejection into a platform for future success.