South Carolina has been so hot on the recruiting trail in recent weeks the Gamecocks are now having to turn away prospects willing to commit, as the size of the 2017 class continues to swell. That’s reportedly what happened over the weekend with defensive back Tancey Richardson, who pledged his commitment to the Gamecocks only to step back from his commitment Monday evening.

In a since-deleted tweet, Richardson announced his commitment to South Carolina Sunday evening. However, the Gamecocks secured commitments from three other defensive backs — Jaylin Dickerson, Tavyn Jackson and Damarri Mathis — earlier in the weekend and don’t appear interested in taking on a fourth secondary defender at this time.

Richardson was originally extended a scholarship offer during a South Carolina camp, well before the other three defensive back prospects committed to the school, and he didn’t speak with head coach Will Muschamp or defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson before announcing his commitment over the weekend.

“(Coach Robinson) said he didn’t know if I would have a legitimate spot with all the commits that they’ve got, so I told him I’m just going to wait it out,” Richardson said, according to Phil Kornblut of The State. “You know, wait and see who all they sign instead of making my decision. They wanted me to shut down my recruiting, but then again I wouldn’t know if I had a legitimate spot on the team. (Coach Robinson) wanted me to shut my recruiting down. That’s how he is. And he has to talk to Coach Muschamp to see if I have a legitimate spot. My coaches thought it was a little too early to be shutting my recruitment down.”

For now the 2017 South Carolina recruiting class stands at 16 commitments with Dickerson, Jackson and Mathis the only defensive backs pledged to the Gamecocks.