B/R Recruiting Notebook: 4-Star Recruits Change Decision Date, Talk Top 3

Around this time next week, Lancaster, California, standout Melquise Stovall will be a committed athlete.

Stovall, the nation's No. 4 all-purpose back and U.S. Army All-American, told Bleacher Report on Sunday that he has decided against announcing his verbal commitment during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 9 and will let the public know his college plans on Dec. 21.

The Paraclete High School standout, a one-time USC commit, said the decision will come down to two Pac-12 schools.

"It's between Utah and Cal," said Stovall, a 5'9", 183-pound athlete. "I'm going to put it out there. I won't wait until the Army game; I'll announce it on Twitter. I wanted to do it Saturday [Dec. 12], but I want to sit and talk to my big brother first. He'll be in town Tuesday."

Stovall said Utah and Cal both have what he's looking for. He's an athlete who wants to be used as a slot receiver primarily and as a running back sparingly. Stovall also could be used in special teams packages as a returner.

"I like Utah in how they want to utilize me. They want me to come in and replace [Bubba] Poole," Stovall said. "Cal's kind of the same way. They want to use me in their return game and also replace [Bryce] Treggs, and also work in the backfield, as well."

Stovall in August said he decommitted from USC because the Trojans wanted to use him exclusively as a running back. Stovall said playing for either Utah or Cal will allow him to show his versatility all over the field.

"I feel like I'm mainly a slot first, then a running back when needed," he said. "I don't mind taking a few carries a game, though."

The winning school gets an elusive, cat-quick athlete who has great change-of-direction ability. Per Paraclete's MaxPreps.com page, Stovall compiled 1,847 all-purpose yards. He also had 68 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions, a blocked field goal and a fumble recovery as a defensive back.

"I want to show I'm an exciting player, a playmaker," Stovall said. "It's been a tough process, but I know that either decision I make will be a good one."

Credit: 247Sports.com

Texas DT Blacklock discusses top three

Missouri City, Texas, defensive tackle Ross Blacklock is down to three schools, and after taking his first official visit, he's looking forward to what should be an interesting January.

Blacklock said TCU, LSU and Texas A&M make up his top three, and all three schools hold equal weight. Blacklock took an official visit to Texas A&M over the weekend and gave it "a nine" on a 10 scale.

"It went good, real good. I had a blast," Blacklock said of Texas A&M. "There wasn't a time when I said I was bored. We ate a lot; I'm still full.

"It was great talking to the coaches and hanging out with the players. It was a really good experience."

"

Official Visit @ Texas A&M was Great This Weekend Had Alot Of Fun pic.twitter.com/N38VAOudmL

— ⚡️9⃣0⃣⚡️ (@Ross_Blacklock) December 14, 2015"

With Texas A&M being Blacklock's first visit, that means the bar has been raised for both TCU and LSU. Blacklock, a 4-star defensive tackle now a shade under 6'5" and 325 pounds, said he'll visit TCU the weekend of Jan. 15 and LSU the weekend of Jan. 22. Blacklock added that he'll make a decision after the final visit.

"I'm just looking for great coaches, team chemistry and if I can fit in with a program to help the team win games," he said. "Everything else will go into place. I've just got to feel right wherever I go."

Blacklock has additional offers from schools such as Oklahoma State, Missouri, Miami, Kansas and in-state schools Texas, Texas Tech and Houston.

Credit: 247Sports.com

Top five coming soon for Atlanta LB Hunter

The good news for colleges is that Atlanta 4-star linebacker Jaden Hunter has a top five.

The caveat, however, is that those teams haven't been released. At least not yet.

Hunter announced Sunday on Twitter that his top five and commitment date will be announced soon. One school considered to be in a good spot at making Hunter's list is Florida State. Hunter's older brother, Tyler, is a redshirt senior for the Seminoles.

Although he's kept everything under wraps, the nation's No. 10 outside linebacker said all five schools have everything he wants—and part of what he wants involves consistent winning.

"I'm looking for a team that can do it repeatedly and not just once, because anybody can win something once," Hunter said. "A true champion can do it twice."

Or more than twice, which is something Hunter can get used to. Along with Florida State, schools like Alabama, LSU and in-state Georgia are believed to be in the running for Hunter's services.

Credit: 247Sports.com

Tennessee DT decommit talks Longhorns visit

New Orleans defensive tackle D'Andre Christmas-Giles is uncommitted once again, and the Texas Longhorns are hoping Tennessee's loss is their gain.

Christmas-Giles, a Tennessee commitment since August, took an official visit to Texas over the weekend and also received offers from LSU and Ole Miss. On Sunday, the rising, 3-star lineman announced his decommitment from the Volunteers.

"

I'm officially open for recruitment pic.twitter.com/fUSBZFaCek

— D.Christmas-Giles (@_DChristmas) December 13, 2015"

As Tennessee fans weren't excited about the news, Texas fans were happy to hear that Christmas-Giles enjoyed his time in Austin.

"It was a great visit," he said. "I loved the campus and enjoyed the coaches and meeting players."

Christmas-Giles, who is 6'3" and 290 pounds, has visited Texas and TCU, and is expected to plan a couple of visits in January. Along with Texas and TCU, Christmas-Giles said he has Florida, LSU, Arkansas, Miami and a few other schools on his radar.

Sleeper alert: Gatorade POY for Iowa without FBS offer

The state of Iowa has its players to watch, but the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state is still looking for a college to call home.

Noah Clayberg, a 5'11", 200-pound athlete from Pella, Iowa, played quarterback and outside linebacker for Pella High School, which finished undefeated and claimed back-to-back Iowa Class 3A state championships. As a shifty, elusive dual-threat quarterback, Clayberg rushed for 1,846 yards and 30 touchdowns, and he threw for 1,695 yards and 21 touchdowns with only three interceptions.

Defensively, Clayberg accounted for 44 tackles, two sacks and an interception. Athletically, Clayberg's natural position in college would be either safety or nickelback, but he could make for a reliable option as a Wildcat quarterback in read-option packages.

Clayberg is unrated and without an FBS offer but has reported offers from FCS schools South Dakota State and Western Illinois. Clayberg has received past interest from Missouri, North Dakota State and in-state schools Iowa and Iowa State.

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