Submitted by Susan Lowery
Nate Lowery has spent his entire life in Thurston County, growing up through the local youth football system and eventually becoming a senior two-way lineman for Tumwater High School. Now, the longtime local athlete is taking the next step in his football journey after receiving his first Division I football offer from Idaho State University.
Lowery, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound Class of 2027 lineman, has developed into a key contributor on both sides of the ball for the Thunderbirds, playing offensive line and defensive tackle.
His path to a Division I opportunity has been built locally. From youth football in Thurston County to the Tumwater High School program, Lowery has spent years playing alongside teammates, learning from coaches and competing in a community known for its strong football tradition.
As a junior, Lowery earned 2A Evergreen All-League Honorable Mention at offensive line and made an impact defensively, including returning an interception for a touchdown against Nooksack Valley.
He was also recently named to VarsityWA’s 2026 Preseason 100, recognizing him among Washington’s high school football players to watch entering the season.
Lowery now begins his senior season as part of a Tumwater program that has reached the 2A state championship game in each of the past three seasons, with the goal of making another run at a state title.
While the Idaho State offer represents an important individual milestone, Lowery credits the people around him for helping him reach this point.
“It’s bigger than any one of us. We put the work in together, fight for each other, and trust the guys next to us.”
For a player who has spent his entire football career in Thurston County, the opportunity represents more than the possibility of playing at the next level. It is the next chapter in a journey that began on local youth football fields and has taken him to the doorstep of Division I football.
