B/R Recruiting Notebook: 4-Star WR with Nearly 40 Offers Ready to Narrow Choices

As official visits continue, college football recruiting had another slow weekend of athletes committing. Only 2018 safety Cam'ron Jones and eight 2017 players nationwide from Friday through Sunday publicly announced their verbal commitments.

The highlighted commitment took place on Friday, as Warminster, Pennsylvania, 4-star wide receiver Mark Webb committed to Georgia. Webb added himself to a top-five nationally ranked 2017 class.

And while it wasn't the weekend, Monday morning proved to be huge for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish picked up an early-morning commitment from 4-star defensive end Donovan Jeter, who will help strengthen the team's 2017 class on defense:

Look for more and more athletes to inch closer to making their verbal commitments in the upcoming weeks. Here are a few updates from 2017 athletes in the college football recruiting world.

4-star Thomas ready to trim huge list of schools

Credit: 247Sports

Ambry Thomas

Rated as a 4-star cornerback, Detroit standout Ambry Thomas is the first to classify himself as an athlete. In addition to playing cornerback, Thomas is equally talented on the other side of the ball as a wide receiver, and he said there are schools interested in him playing both positions.

With 39 reported offers, Thomas has his options of where to play college ball. And now at 6'0" and 175 pounds, he said he's ready to begin narrowing his choices. He's yet to set any official visits, but look for a couple to be scheduled soon.

"I've got a few schools in mind," said Thomas, who wants to commit either around late October or in November. "Some coaches have started buckling down more than others, and I'm seeing more and more who really wants me."

Thomas said schools such as Arizona, Oregon, Florida, Ohio State, Pittsburgh and in-state schools Michigan and Michigan State are among those in the running for his verbal commitment. As for official visits, Thomas said he may not consider Michigan or Michigan State, as he has "been around them 1,000 times" and already has excellent relationships with the coaching staffs.

The official visits may be used as a chance for Thomas to see new environments, but wherever he goes, he doesn't want to be put in a box as a positional player. Thomas is excited about the opportunity to not only be recruited as a cornerback and wide receiver but also see significant time on both sides of the field at the next level.

"I've never really worked one position," Thomas said. "I know if I worked just one, I'd be more lethal there. But I'm an athlete. I know I can be a good corner or receiver wherever I go."

He continued: "I want a school that feels like home and where the coaches are trustworthy. Playing time early is a huge factor for me. I also want to go somewhere where I'll get a good education."

As a cornerback, Thomas is ranked No. 12 nationally among 2017 players. He is ranked the No. 2 player from the state of Michigan behind 5-star receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.

Wake Forest QB commit Powell discusses the future

Credit: Damon Sayles/Bleacher Report

Taylor Powell

If nothing else, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 3-star quarterback Taylor Powell, a Wake Forest pledge, further established himself as a legitimate, do-it-all leader last Friday. He overcame two first-half interceptions to throw for 307 yards and two touchdowns and lead Fayetteville in a come-from-behind road victory against Bishop Dunne of Dallas in a Texas-Arkansas border battle.

In the game, he threw for two scores, rushed for another and served as a lead blocker on an end-around play for a touchdown that gave Fayetteville the lead for good. He also showed good touch as a punter on a quick kick.

Powell's efforts were done against a Bishop Dunne defensive unit loaded with athletes who have FBS offers, including Iowa cornerback commit Chevin Calloway, SMU linebacker pledge Shaine Hailey and the trio of 3-star 2017 defensive tackle Damion Daniels, 4-star 2018 defensive tackle Calvin Avery and stud 2019 safety Brian Williams—who collectively have 53 offers.

Powell's performance should make Wake Forest fans happy, and after the game, he reconfirmed his commit to the Demon Deacons. Powell has reported offers from Vanderbilt, Maryland, Memphis, Purdue, Washington State and several other schools, but he said Wake Forest is "where my heart stands."

"It's the 40-year plan," Powell said of Wake Forest. "The education is one of the best around. After I get out of college, my dream is to be an NFL quarterback, but if I get hurt or don't make it big-time, I'll have my education to fall back on."

Powell added that he likes the new facilities, the overall size of the campus and the fact that he has a chance to help turn things around for the program. Academically, he's considering pre-med, but he also has interest in potentially being a coach.

Powell is one of 15 pledges from Wake Forest's 2017 class. He is the top-ranked offensive pledge for the Demon Deacons.

Iowa State pledge Johnson targeting 4-star WR

Credit: Student Sports

Josh Johnson

Good news, Iowa State fans: Maumelle, Arkansas, wide receiver Josh Johnson is rock-solid on his commitment to the Cyclones. He confirmed to Bleacher Report on Sunday that he was "100 percent" on his pledge and is excited about playing for head coach Matt Campbell.

Johnson said he's a fan of the opportunity to come in and contribute early for a coach who's well-liked around the campus and in the Big 12 Conference.

"Also, I know ISU has a great staff all around that's going to take care of me 100 percent of the time," he said.

Johnson, a 3-star receiver who committed on March 28, said he has shifted his focus on building the program as a player-recruiter. His primary target would help strengthen the class' wide receiver group.

"K.J. Hamler, without a doubt," Johnson said, referring to the 4-star talent from IMG Academy who announced a top five on Thursday that included Iowa State.

"We hung out a little bit on an ISU visit earlier in the summer, so I feel like we created a pretty good bond," Johnson said. "It's the explosiveness he brings and his playmaking abilities."

Who gets state of Kansas' lone uncommitted target?

There are 14 rated 2017 players from the state of Kansas, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Thirteen of the 14 have verbally committed to play in the Big 12, Big Ten or SEC conferences. Nine of those 13 have given their pledges to either in-state schools Kansas or Kansas State.

The lone rated, uncommitted target from the Sunflower State is Kade Remsberg, a 3-star running back from Newton, Kansas. A speedy back who has state championship success in track and field, Remsberg has offers from Kansas, Yale, Army and Air Force, and he is looking to join his fellow in-state recruits as a committed athlete.

"I feel some pressure, but for me, I want to feel 100 percent about my decision," Remsberg said. "The process has allowed me to see and visit a lot of different places and meet a lot of people, and I have really enjoyed that."

Credit: 247Sports

Kade Remsberg

Kansas is a school to keep an eye on, as it would win the proximity battle. Lawrence, Kansas, is separated by roughly 150 miles. Yale is an Ivy League school, and a degree from Yale could serve as a major academic advantage.

But Remsberg said he's been focusing on the two service academies interested in him. Air Force and Army could find themselves in a major recruiting battle for the No. 7 player from the state of Kansas.

"I never thought about going to an academy before, but I have been talking to Air Force and Army a lot, and I really like both of those teams," he said. "It's an honor to be offered by every school, and I am evaluating what is best for me academically and athletically."

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

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