B/R Recruiting Notebook: 5-Star OT to Narrow List, 4-Star ATH Lands 50th Offer

Last weekend was one of the biggest of the spring recruiting-wise, as several athletes announced their verbal commitments. Among those were 4-star quarterback Bailey Hockman to Florida State, 4-star wide receiver Taariq Johnson to Cal, 4-star running back O'Maury Samuels to Michigan and 4-star quarterback Tristan Gebbia to Nebraska.

Couple the commitments with a stop in Houston for The Opening and Elite 11, and recruiting news has been flowing the past few days. Here are some recruiting updates from the week:

Damon Sayles/Bleacher Report

5-star OT Davis set to narrow list

Washington fans have to be thrilled about where the program stands after 5-star offensive tackle Wyatt Davis made an unofficial visit last week. He gave the visit a very high mark as he prepares for the next step in his recruiting process.

"The process is going great," said Davis, the star lineman from California's St. John Bosco High School who is the nation's No. 24 overall player in the 2017 class. "I visited Washington, and these next weeks are going to be key. I will be making a top seven."

Washington is hoping to be one of the schools in Davis' top seven, but Davis has a handful of schools that he's high on. He's taken visits to USC and Alabama this year, and schools like Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Cal, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Nebraska are ones to watch as he narrows his choices. Davis has 26 reported offers.

The common denominator with the 6'5", 310-pound lineman's top seven? He said it'll come down to the advantages he can get off the field.

"The education," said Davis, the nation's No. 7 offensive tackle who is looking to pursue a degree in broadcasting or communications.

Credit: 247Sports.com

4-star ATH Askew talks 50th offer, immediate future

When Tennessee offered McCalla, Alabama, 4-star athlete Malcolm Askew last Tuesday, it was more than just another offer for him.

Askew reported Tennessee as his 50th overall offer, and that offer meant he owned one from each school in the SEC. Consider it a small, personal goal of his.

"There are some who don't get one offer. I'm just blessed to have all of them," said Askew, whose first SEC offer was Georgia.

Of all his offers, Askew said an SEC school is currently in front. He said Auburn is his current leader, and he will be on campus Saturday for the A-Day Spring Game.

Askew—who at 5'11" and 183 pounds can play cornerback, safety and wide receiver—added that although Auburn's in front, several schools are still very much in the race, including Clemson, Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan, Oregon, Cal and Miami. Tennessee offered Askew as a defensive back.

"Ultimately, I'm looking for a place just for me to come in and get playing time early and be a big factor," Askew said. "I don't really want to be the guy who redshirts. I want to go somewhere where I'm needed and not just wanted. I also want a great academic program that's set up for me to be successful, somewhere that will help me graduate in three years."

4-star OT Deculus announcing next month

May 20 will be a big day for Cypress, Texas, 4-star offensive tackle Austin Deculus, as he will end his recruiting process on the day of his team's spring game. Deculus will publicly announce his college plans to play at one of five schools—LSU, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia and Tennessee.

Here's the catch: That decision may have already been etched.

"I've pretty much made my decision," said Deculus, who has 30 reported offers from coast to coast.

"May 20 is my spring game. I think it's going to mean a lot to my teammates but more importantly to my family because my parents are going to be there."

Deculus' 247Sports Crystal Ball points heavily to him choosing LSU next month. Before The Opening, he spoke highly about the five finalists.

"They fit what I look for in an offense. It's smack-you-in-the-mouth football," he said. "I love aggression. I love run blocking. That's my thing. Pass blocking is good and necessary, but overall, run blocking is my favorite."

Deculus is the nation's No. 12 offensive tackle and the No. 62 overall player in the 2017 class.

Credit: 247Sports.com

Ohio State pledge has eyes on 5-star recruits

The minute La Grange, Texas, 4-star all-purpose back J.K. Dobbins committed to Ohio State on March 6, he had plans of being an early enrollee.

Before he heads to Columbus, Ohio, Dobbins said he's got some player recruiting to do. When asked about potential targets, Dobbins, the nation's No. 4 all-purpose back and No. 54 overall player in the 2017 class, said he's going all in on two 5-star athletes in particular.

"Marvin and Jeff. I want them at Ohio State," Dobbins said, referring to the Texas duo of defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and defensive back Jeffrey Okudah. "If we get those guys, we're going to win national championships. They are great players and great guys. They're not cocky or anything. They're just some cool dudes."

Ohio State currently has 13 commits in its 2017 class, including the 5-star duo of offensive tackle Josh Myers and cornerback Shaun Wade. Dobbins and 4-star running back commit Todd Sibley could emerge into a nice one-two punch in the backfield for the Buckeyes.

Words of wisdom from Ole Miss signee Anderson

About this time last year, Ole Miss signee Deontay Anderson was working on earning his second trip to The Opening finals. On Sunday, he was a spectator watching the next group of talented athletes compete for their opportunity to go to Beaverton, Oregon.

Anderson's work ethic was to be admired. The way he approached the recruiting process was something else that caught the attention of targets. Anderson made his decision on national signing day—in dramatic fashion, nonetheless—and refused to make any early commitment announcements.

He offered sound advice to the recruits at The Opening Houston. Anderson wants all recruits to remember that their national signing day is still roughly 10 months away.

"Be patient. A lot of things change," Anderson said. "One coach might be here now, and then he might be gone later. Players leave for the draft. There's a lot of things that go into it.

"Just take your time, and don't rush into it. It's one of the hardest but best decisions of your life. Make it count."

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