3-Star 2025 Center Isaac Sowells Jr. (6’2″/295) took an Official Visit to NC State last weekend. I caught up with him to get his take on the experience.

Walk through the visit. What did you do? Where did you go? Who did you meet?

We did a lot of things. We went through academics, facility tours, photo shoots, a lot of eating, and just getting to get comfortable around the people in the building.

What was the message from the coaches to you? What is your relationship like with the coaches?

The message from the coaches to me is I can be the Center of the future and help this program in the right direction. I’ve had a great relationship with Coach 2J since they offered me in August. He’s been texting me basically every single day, multiple times a day.

How do you think NC State might be a good fit for you?

I feel like I could fit in there because the depth chart is appealing and I can have the opportunity to play early. They have an explosive offense and keep getting top-tier Recruits. They also have a top ranked defense.

What were your favorite parts?

I’d say my favorite parts were just really getting to hang out with the people at dinner and just getting to know a little bit more about the commits and recruits.

Who was your host?

Zeke Correll

What are your thoughts on where NC State’s at, and where they are headed?

I feel very great about the program. They have a Top 25 defense and a very explosive offense. They keep bringing in top guys and don’t go too deep into the portal.

Where does NC State stand in your recruitment? What do you like about the Wolfpack?

I’d say they sit pretty high in my recruitment. I just like the way they treat their top guys and make you feel like a priority.

When do you plan on making your college decision?

July 18th.

What’s your relationship like with the current players and some of the other players they are recruiting?

I’d say with the current players I’m getting to know them a little bit more, like Zeke Carroll and I got to meet (Jacarrius) Peak. When it comes to recruits, me and (Michael) Gibbs talk every day, and I’ll talk to Gus (Ritchey) and Will (Wilson) periodically.

What is it that you like the way Coach 2J coaches the O-Line?

I like his approach. He’s there to coach you hard, but he also loves you and he makes that known.

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A month ago, Sowells Jr. released his Top-5, and NC State was included along with Kentucky, South Carolina, Miami and Louisville. He has taken Official Visits to South Carolina, Miami and Kentucky.

ESPN ranks Sowells Jr. as the #3 Center in the nation, and the #4 player overall in the state of Kentucky.

As a Junior last year, he had 85 Knockdowns for Louisville Male High School (Louisville, KY).

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated Saturday in a homicide investigation over a teenager’s shooting death.

Authorities have identified the victim as 17-year-old Terrance D. Booker.

Booker died in a shooting around 5 a.m. Saturday in the 1300 block of Williams Street, according to the Major Case Squad.

Investigators say Booker was shot multiple times and found deceased in the yard of a home.

No suspect information has been released to this point. The Major Case Squad says there are 14 investigators working this case.

If you have any relevant information, contact the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis at 618-332-4277 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).

Instead of listening to cicada mating calls throughout the day, many Illinois residents have begun sweeping dead cicadas from their doorsteps, porches and decks.

The noisy periodical cicadas that emerged from underground last month have come to the end of their life cycles just about everywhere in Illinois.

Are the cicadas in Illinois gone yet?

Almost. According to Morton Arboretum scientists, the last of the periodical cicadas should die off in the next few days. That does not mean they will be gone, because homeowners will still have all those carcasses to content with. And that answer makes a fine segue to the next question.

What do dead cicadas smell like?

They do not smell pleasant. The pest control company Terminix noted they can emit a terrible stench. The University of Illinois Extension compared the odor of decaying dead cicadas to roadkill but also noted that they serve as fertilizer for plants.

More: Too much information? Some of these facts about cicadas might disgust you

What do baby cicadas look like?

Cicadas go through five stages of development called instars, according to Cicada Mania, with the fifth instar being the adult stage. When first instar cicada nymphs hatch, they are pale-colored and resemble small ants or small termites with six legs and antennae.

Cicadas 2024: What animals eat cicadas?

What are dog day cicadas?

Dog day cicadas are annual cicadas. They emerge during the heat of summer, usually around July, said Kacie Athey, a specialty crops entomologist with the University of Illinois Extension. The annual cicadas can be seen into September. They sound the same as the periodical cicadas to humans but they look different.