By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Ihmir Marsette verbally committed to Rutgers in early December, but still wants to keep his options open.

One of his options is to play receiver at Iowa.

Marsette, a native of Newark, N.J., has set up a visit to Iowa on Jan. 20, but his commitment to Rutgers remains strong, although the three-star 2017 athlete said he is trying to decide between Rutgers and Iowa.

"I’m pretty strong on the commitment," Marsette said. "I’m just checking out Iowa to make sure I made the right decision. I wanted to see what someone else has to offer but my commitment to Rutgers is very strong. 

"Rutgers is my number one right now and Virginia Tech recently hit me up. So I might try and see what they’re talking about. Boston College is recruiting me very hard but Rutgers is my number one right now. It’s mainly between Rutgers and Iowa right now, but Rutgers is my strong right now."

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Marsette is listed as an athlete, but he said Iowa is recruiting him as a receiver, a position of need for an Iowa team that ranked near the bottom in passing offense in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2016.

Marsette thinks he can be an explosive complement to Iowa's traditionally strong running game.

"They’re recruiting me on offense at wide receiver," Marsette said. "I could see myself playing receiver. They’re a strong running team so whenever they get the running game going it opens up the pass. I could see myself making big plays off the play action. 

"I could see myself playing receiver. They’re a strong running team so whenever they get the running game going it opens up the pass. I could see myself making big plays off the play action.I could come in and make a big impact on the offense. I’m the type of receiver that can get open and get the ball and make impact plays so they just told me that’s why they liked me. I get open, I make big plays and I’m just an explosive guy."

Marsette is impressed with Iowa's winning tradition under veteran coach Kirk Ferentz, who just completed is his 18th season with the Hawkeyes and is the dean of Big Ten coaches.

"Their tradition is a key factor," Marsette said. "Just being able to go to bowl games and having a stable team. They’ve been to bowl games and they know what’s expected. They know what championship football is like and they know how to prepare. That’s what I’m looking into. They know how to prepare. They know how to get to the next level."

Marsette is also intrigued by Boston College and Virginia Tech, but isn't sure if he will arrange visits to those two school.

Iowa needs receivers in the 2017 class after Texas natives Gavin Holmes and Beau Corrales both backed out of their verbal commitments.