A pillowcase was my first thought. With all the different fabric out there for Super Heroes and such he can find something he might like.
I wouldn't push him - my eldest daughter has no intention of learning to sew. She just tells me I can never die. So someday she will either learn minor basics or pay to have it done. My other daughter can sew enough to do mending. They are both so busy - and they are both readers, they would sit down with a book before sitting down to sew.
Just had another thought - if he is going off to college what about a laundry bag?