South Carolina’s Tanner, Elliott deny report of halting recruiting

Less than an hour after losing a heartbreaker to Florida, South Carolina coach Shawn Elliott and his boss found themselves disputing a national report.

FoxSports’ Alex Marvez reported South Carolina’s assistant coaches were told to “stop pursuing commitments from high school players” in the aim of leaving them open for the next coaching staff. The report used anonymous sources and did not name who ordered the assistants to not take any pledges.

Elliott said he has not told his staff to slow recruiting efforts.

“I don’t think anybody has called up and tried to commit in the last week,” Elliott said. “So that’s not accurate.”

After the team’s postgame press conference, Gamecocks athletics director Ray Tanner also said he did not give any such order when pressed by reporters.

USC expected to host around 100 recruits Saturday and will have another large prospect turnout Nov. 28 against Clemson.

This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 6:43 PM with the headline "South Carolina’s Tanner, Elliott deny report of halting recruiting."