B/R Recruiting Notebook: 5-Star WR Set for Big Weekend

As we near the end of the month, 2017 recruits are beginning to plan out their spring schedules. The time off for spring break could be big opportunities for athletes to see some of their potential college homes—and big opportunities for colleges to make great impressions while the recruits are visiting.

Here are a few updates on some of the nation's top targets in the 2017 class:

Credit: 247Sports.com

Big weekend on deck for 5-star WR Lindsey

The Elite 11 and The Opening spring regional schedule officially kicked off over the weekend in Orlando, Florida, and Los Angeles is the next stop on the tour this weekend. It's something that Corona, California, 5-star wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey has been looking forward to since qualifying for the prestigious national all-star event in Beaverton, Oregon, last summer.

Lindsey is scheduled to be in Los Angeles for the event Sunday, but before he competes, he's planning on being at USC Saturday for the Trojans' junior day. USC is high on the list of the nation's No. 3 receiver, as are a few other schools.

"[USC] is close to home and easy to visit, plus I have a good relationship with most of the players and coaches," Lindsey said. "I'm going to get a chance to meet up with some guys like Tate Martell and Bubba Bolden."

Lindsey has 16 reported offers. with Notre Dame being the latest. Along with USC, schools like Ohio State, Oregon and Texas A&M are potential landing spots.

Martell and Bolden, standouts at Las Vegas power Bishop Gorman, are former teammates of Lindsey, who announced earlier this month that he was transferring from Bishop Gorman to return to California. Lindsey will play his senior year at Centennial. Lindsey will have both athletes in his ear over the weekend; Bolden is committed to USC, while Martell is committed to Texas A&M.

Additionally, Ohio State is a definite team to keep an eye on. Lindsey said he's looking into taking an unofficial trip to Columbus, Ohio, in March, possibly during his spring break.

"I have family up there, and I'm a family person," Lindsey said. "I would like to meet more of the other half of my family I haven't met. I also want to see the school."

5-star WR Higgins' best adviser not a football player

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 5-star wide receiver Tee Higgins is inching toward 20 reported offers, the latest coming from Michigan. He's made sure to include athletes before him for advice on the process.

Some of those athletes aren't football players. In fact, one person who's been influential in how he deals with recruiting is his sister KeKe Stewart, who played basketball at Middle Tennessee from 2010-14.

"She's the one I've really been listening to, since she's been through it," Higgins said of Stewart. "I've learned a lot from the guys from the classes before me about the process, but she's been telling me how to handle it."

One of the best pieces of advice Higgins—an exciting basketball player himself at 6'5" and 190 pounds—has received from his sister involves taking his time and letting everything come to him. Higgins recently decommitted from Tennessee after being a part of the Volunteers' 2017 class for roughly six months.

Being a two-sport star in college isn't out of the question for Higgins. He reiterated that Tennessee is still a team in the hunt, but schools like Clemson, Alabama and Florida State are legitimate contenders, as well.

"A lot of schools are on me," Higgins said, "but I'm looking into all of them and just making sure I talk to every school."

Credit: 247Sports.com

Penn State return visit scheduled for 4-star DT Hansard

With 27 reported offers, Princeton, New Jersey, 4-star defensive tackle Fred Hansard doesn't have a set time frame for when he wants to commit. In his words, "when it happens, it's going to happen."

Penn State is hoping to do just enough to make him want to pull the trigger early. Hansard is expected to make a return trip to Penn State this weekend.

"I've been there four or five times already," Hansard said. "I feel really comfortable with the coaching staff, and I have a great relationship with the players and recruits. I'm just hoping for a good time like every other time I've been."

Along with Penn State, Hansard, the nation's No. 9 defensive tackle, has made trips to Ohio State, Pitt and Rutgers. He has offers from all of the aforementioned schools, as well as Miami, Michigan and Alabama. He most recently picked up offers from Purdue and Central Florida.

Wherever he ends up, expect Hansard to bring his 6'3", 305-pound frame, deceptive speed and quickness to a program.

"When I look at a school," Hansard said, "I know the head coach is a big thing, but the position coach is what I'm focused on. I'm going to be with that guy for the next four years. I want to see him as the coach who will always be around and somebody who I can see kind of like a parent. I want to learn a lot from him."

4-star APB Dobbins enjoying 'really great' process

Ask La Grange, Texas, 4-star all-purpose back J.K. Dobbins about his recruiting process, and hear the appreciation in his voice about what can be an intense time.

"It's been going great ... really great actually," said Dobbins, the nation's No. 4 all-purpose back. "It's a dream come true, so I'm sitting back and just enjoying it all. It can be crazy sometimes, but I don't look at that part of it. I just think of it where I have an opportunity that a lot of people don't get to experience."

The 5'10", 200-pound athlete is preparing to plan upcoming unofficial visits. One of the schools very high on his list is Ohio State.

"They have a winning tradition over there, and I'm a guy who likes to win," Dobbins said. "I want to have that shot to win [a national championship] every single year. I know they've got some great coaches, and they have great player development and academics, as well. It's the total package."

Ohio State is a strong out-of-state team to watch, but possible in-state options, Dobbins said, include Texas and TCU.

Dobbins said the winning school will be a place that has the ultimate balance of athletics, academics and overall campus environment.

"I want to have a great family atmosphere with my teammates and be somewhere where it feels like home and like family," he said. "I want to go somewhere that will develop me as a player and as a man. I want to be in a town for four years and live happily and not miserably."

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