B/R Recruiting Notebook: 4-Star WRs Who Wowed at the Opening Taking Their Time

The Opening has come and gone, and some of the 2017 athletes have tunnel vision regarding their futures. While some are focused on next-level ball in college, others are all about making 11th-hour improvements in preparation for their senior seasons—many of which start next month.

Whatever the case, college football recruiting is a major topic of discussion as July inches closer to August. Here are some updates on a few of the top athletes in the 2017 class.

4-star WR Robinson in no rush with recruiting

In seven-on-seven competition at The Opening, James Robinson made his case for having the best hands among the talented wide receiver group. He even heard some people call him the overall best of the bunch. 

"I think so, too," Robinson said, smiling. "I had a couple of one-handed catches."

At rock bottom, the Lakeland, Florida, 4-star prospect made his case for a potential fifth star down the road. With 37 reported offers, Robinson's a wanted man, but when it comes to recruiting, he's set on taking his time and letting everything come to him rather than making a rushed decision.

Florida, Clemson and Ohio State are three schools believed to be in the driver's seat for Robinson, the nation's No. 6 wide receiver and No. 42 player overall in the 2017 class. Robinson, however, wouldn't tip his hat to which school has the edge.

"There are a couple of schools standing out right now," he said. "I'm just looking for a great head coach and watching all the other coaches on staff."

Many believe Robinson, a 6'3", 196-pound receiver, is Florida's to lose. Time will tell—and don't expect Robinson to leak anything early.

"I might commit soon, I might not commit soon," Robinson said. "It's just going to be a feeling kind of thing to me."

4-star WR Thomas: Alabama showing most love

Credit: 247Sports.com

Going against the best the nation has to offer was something East St. Louis, Illinois, wide receiver Jeff Thomas talked about post-The Opening. Ranked as a top-10 receiver nationally, Thomas used the event as a gauge of where he thought he was—and to which level he needed to take his game.

Thomas, who claims 15 offers, said he's using the summer as an opportunity to become a better player. Recruiting has taken a back seat, but he added that scheduling official visits will be apart of his daily itinerary soon.

"There are a lot of schools out there, and it's a hard decision," said Thomas, a speedy, 5'10", 170-pound athlete ranked as the No. 9 receiver and No. 62 player overall in the 2017 class. "I just want to take my time and make the right choice."

Thomas said Alabama, of all the schools, has shown the most love from a recruiting standpoint. Alabama, Ohio State and Michigan are three schools to keep an eye on as he winds his process down. Missouri likes the position it's in, as well.

The winning school gets an athlete with impressive speed and an ability to give defensive backs fits in one-on-one coverages. Thomas ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at The Opening.

If that school is Alabama, which is considered a favorite to land him, they'll get a competitor looking to be a consistent playmaker.

"I like their offense. I like the pace and the chemistry," he said. "They know how to get their wideouts open."

4-star DE/OLB Gumbs pushing back decision date again?

Credit: Student Sports

Hayward, California, 4-star defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid Addison Gumbs is considering pushing back his commitment timetable.

Gumbs was originally scheduled to announce his verbal commitment last month, but he decided to push the announcement timetable to July. On Sunday, he said he's strongly considering stretching his process out a few more weeks to where he doesn't make a rushed decision.

"I really want to see how things play out," said Gumbs, a 6'4", 220-pound athlete ranked the No. 10 weak-side defensive end and the No. 163 player overall in the 2017 class. "I just want to be sure I'm ready."

Gumbs has 27 reported offers, but schools like Oklahoma, Washington, UCLA and USC are four to keep an eye on as he closes in on a decision. Oklahoma and Washington are the two schools with predictions in his 247Sports crystal ball.

Each year, Oklahoma finds its way into the top list of several big-name athletes from the state of California. Gumbs is one of the few California residents the Sooners are targeting. Fortunately for the Sooners, the feeling is mutual.

"To be honest, I really have no clue what the big attraction is with other guys," said Gumbs, who visited Oklahoma in April. "All I know is that OU is a great school. They have a lot of things I like. The academics are good there, and I really like the coaching staff. Really, it's a great fit all around, no matter where you're from."

Gumbs said that he's a fan of Washington's ability to develop defenders and the way UCLA uses hybrid players. Of all the schools, Gumbs said he's visited USC the most. Gumbs added that his early official visit schedule will include stops to Oklahoma and UCLA.

Which school needs 4-star OT Eze most?

Credit: Student Sports

Nashville, Tennessee, 4-star tackle Obinna Eze was a part of that impressive offensive line group that turned heads at The Opening. Standing nearly 6'7" and weighing 279 pounds, Eze is a tackle who can bring length, technique and a bully's attitude to a college program.

With 16 offers, Eze has his choice of where he wants to play next-level ball, but don't expect him to make any decisions anytime soon.

"Honestly, I'm waiting until my official visits to make my decision," said Eze, a top-250 player nationally. "Right now, I don't have any visiting plans."

Eze is keeping the process at a snail's pace for the time being, choosing to focus on being a senior leader at Davidson Academy. He said that he's been hearing most from Auburn, Duke, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Florida, Memphis and Kentucky as of late.

Of those eight schools, only Memphis is without a tackle pledge. The Tigers have only one offensive lineman committed in 3-star guard Mikhail Hall. Florida (3-star Kadeem Telfort), Mississippi State (JUCO 3-star Tommy Champion) and Kentucky (3-star Austin Dotson) all have one tackle committed, and Eze would be a huge addition to one of those classes.

If Eze committed today, of the eight aforementioned schools, he'd be the top-rated commit for Kentucky, Duke, Vanderbilt and Memphis.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles