South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner is doing everything he can to ensure the Gamecocks’ 2016 class stays intact.

Recruits have been notified that a head coaching announcement is expected soon.

“He was just saying they’ll be trying to make a decision in probably about three weeks and he hopes I stick with them, but still keep my options open and make the best decision for me,” verbal commit Lloyd Cushenberry told Phil Kornblut of The State. “I think I’ve built a good relationship with some of the coaches, like coach (Joe) Robinson, and I would like to be there with him. But we’ll just see whoever they bring in. I am committed, but keeping my options open, just seeing what goes on.”

Brandon McIlwain, a four-star quarterback out of Pennsylvania who is widely-considered the Gamecocks’ most important pledge, also confirmed that he has received a call from Tanner telling him to hang tight.

South Carolina currently has 15 verbal commits for 2016, a class ranked 49th nationally by 247Sports.