B/R Recruiting Notebook: SEC Visits for No. 2 JUCO; 4-Stars Weighing Options

Power Five schools are gearing up for what are anticipated to be productive recruiting summers. Summer unofficial visits are being planned by several athletes, and some athletes are in the process of setting up official visits for the fall.

With the month of May halfway over, look for more and more athletes to make recruiting headlines with their upcoming decisions. Here are a few updates from some of the top uncommitted targets in the 2017 class.

Credit: 247Sports.com

No. 2 JUCO player eyeing SEC summer visits

City College of San Francisco offensive tackle Elliot Baker is the No. 2-ranked overall junior college player in the 2017 class. The idea of passing Pima Community College offensive tackle Jordan Agasiva for the No. 1 spot isn't as much of a priority as some may assume.

For Baker, playing to become a better player each day holds more weight. If he does that, he believes the rankings will become more a source of entertainment and less an actual gauge for talent.

"I feel like I'm No. 1," Baker said. "I don't like to compete on the rankings. People can turn on the tape and compare or whatever. It doesn't really matter to me. I just try to be the best player I can be."

Baker, at 6'7" and 295 pounds, claims 20 offers nationwide, including the most recent offer from Oregon State. He said he's planning on taking all five official visits before making a final decision. Baker said he visited Mississippi State during the spring and has summer plans to take in a few SEC schools.

"I'll unofficially visit Alabama and Mississippi State this summer," Baker said. "I'll visit Auburn this summer, as well."

Baker said he's looking for a good relationship with his position coach and team camaraderie with his final decision. One major X-factor in choosing an FBS program, Baker said, involves the overall college atmosphere.

"It's one of the key factors in my decision," he said. "I want to be a part of a college town."

Credit: Student Sports

With 46 offers, CB Riep taking things slowly

The objective on the field for Cincinnati 4-star cornerback Amir Riep is simple.

"Win. Win every time I'm out," Riep said. "I want to make sure the ball is going the other way."

Riep's role as a shutdown cornerback was seen clearly on Saturday at The Opening Chicago regional, as he earned an invitation to The Opening finals in July in Beaverton, Oregon. His trip to Oregon will be another opportunity for him to shine in an effort to add new offers to his list.

It's not like he needs new offers, though. Riep has 46 reported offers and said he's taking his recruitment at a slow pace.

"I'm just enjoying the process, to be honest. I'm going to wait it out as long as I can," Riep said. "All of the schools have been showing interest. I can't say anything bad about them."

Ohio State and Michigan State are two schools believed to be front-runners for Riep, the nation's No. 13-ranked cornerback and the No. 3-ranked player from the state of Ohio. Michigan and Notre Dame also are legitimate contenders.

Riep said he'll focus on setting up summer visits soon. He'll now have to plan The Opening around his upcoming summer schedule.

For now, Riep is all about reveling in the moment recruiting-wise.

"I'll probably think about everything more this summer, once I'm out of school," he said. "A lot of people want to be in this position, so this is just a time to enjoy it all."

Credit: Student Sports

Versatile athlete Potts ready to show talents

The state of Indiana is known for its basketball roots. Fishers, Indiana, 4-star athlete R.J. Potts wants to modify that stereotype with his football play.

He'll have the chance to do so at the next level at a few positions. Potts, at 6'3" and 195 pounds, can play cornerback, safety, outside linebacker and wide receiver. In addition to being ranked the No. 3 player from the state of Indiana, he currently is ranked as the nation's No. 24 safety.

"Right now, a lot of different coaches are saying I can play linebacker," Potts said. "I'm really an athlete who can play DB, corner, receiver, anything. I don't have a preference at all. I just want to play."

Potts, following Saturday's The Opening Chicago regional, said he has offers from Notre Dame, Indiana, Purdue, Iowa State, Missouri and Tulane. He's hoping the summer generates additional offers, but if not, he likes the half-dozen offers on his list.

Potts added that he's hoping to take a few summer visits to SEC and Big Ten country.

"I'm trying to see Missouri, Tennessee and maybe Michigan this summer," he said. "Recruiting's kind of light right now. I've got my offers, but I'm trying to go visit more colleges."

Credit: Student Sports

Spring heavy, summer light for LB Phillips

Nashville, Tennessee, 3-star linebacker Jacob Phillips doesn't have many plans for college visits during the summer. If you check his spring travel log, you'll understand why.

Phillips said he's made a trip somewhere nearly every weekend this spring. Spring visits have included Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Ohio State, Mississippi State, Auburn, Memphis and Vanderbilt, among others.

It's been a hectic spring for the nation's No. 12-ranked inside linebacker, but Phillips said he's enjoying the trips and learning a lot about all the schools that have offered him. Phillips claims 23 offers, the latest coming on May 5 from Alabama.

"My family and I have been traveling every weekend, and this summer, I'm going to just get ready for the season," Phillips said. "It's a huge blessing. When you're a kid and the recruiting process first starts, you always wish and wonder if you'll ever pick up the biggest offers. I've been fortunate to have success in my journey so far."

Phillips admitted he was excited about the offer from Alabama and potentially playing for the reigning national champion. He added, however, that he's still wide open with his process and is considering every offer.

"I have some schools in mind that separated from the pack, but if other schools come around, I'll definitely be open," he said. "Obviously, I want to go somewhere where I'll feel comfortable and my parents will feel comfortable. I want to go somewhere I feel I'll have a bond with the coaches."

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