Four-star defensive end Arden Key became South Carolina’s seventh decommitment of the 2015 class on Tuesday when he announced via Twitter he was dropping his verbal agreement with the Gamecocks.

After opening his recruitment to several teams including Auburn, LSU and Georgia, Key sent out a tweet a few hours later

What’s the deal with the touted 6-foot-5, 230-pounder out of Lithonia, Ga?

Key has sent the Gamecocks mixed signals throughout his recruitment beginning during his junior season in 2013. He originally committed during the summer before his junior year before decommitting a couple months later. He recommitted in June before South Carolina opened its 2014 campaign before revealing this week’s news.

During last week’s Under Armour All-America festivities in Orlando, Fla., Key described a relationship with South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward he’s had since the 10th grade and seemed to be satisfied with his commitment despite official visits lined up at LSU (Jan. 16), Miami (Jan. 19) and Georgia (Jan. 30).

RELATED: Gamecocks add former DE signee Covington to 2015 class

He has publicly stated twice that Georgia wasn’t an option. Key also has a visit planned at Auburn after he was recently contacted by new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp who recruited Key during his time at Florida.

Winston Gordon, Key’s prep coach at Hapeville Charter, told the Atlanta-Journal Constitution on Tuesday that he estimated 15 college coaches called him following his player’s decommitment.

“He’s just a kid, and maybe he’s just feeling an overwhelming amount of pressure,” Gordon said. “And because of that, maybe he just wants to open everything back up so he get a better look at everything? If that’s what he tells me tomorrow, then I can understand this a little better.”

Do the Gamecocks still have a shot at landing the talented pass rusher? Even without Key, South Carolina’s expecting to haul in seven defensive ends on signing day including several who have already enrolled includeing the nation’s top-ranked JUCO defender Marquavius Lewis.

Perhaps early playing time with so much competition at the position is a worry for Key. Dante Sawyer, a JUCO member of this year’s class who was originally committed in 2014 but didn’t qualify, was critical of Key’s decision.

He later deleted the tweet.