Elliott battling rumors
For many, it was a foregone conclusion that Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic offensive tackle James Elliott was going to be a Michigan Wolverine. For a number of college coaching staffs, that was also their belief as Elliott learned in recent weeks.
"I talked to West Virginia recently and when I talked to them they said that they had lost contact with me because the word was I was committing to Michigan," Elliott said. "It was the same for Vanderbilt's coach, he said that is why they stopped talking to me, because of Michigan."
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The 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman has a simple message in regards to the belief he was going to commit to Rich Rodriguez' program.
"I am not sure because I have had no contact from them," Elliott said. "I haven't heard back from Coach (Rod) Smith is the one that was recruiting me for Michigan, but I haven't heard back from him. So for right now they aren't in the picture."
While the Wolverines and Elliott seem to be going different ways, the three-star Florida lineman is hearing from a couple of schools and intends to take official visits to them.
"Right now I have Michigan State talking to me a lot and they want to set up an official visit there in January," Elliott said. "I am also going to go with our middle linebacker (Demarius Rancifer) to Ole Miss and Kentucky. I am not sure if those will be officials or unofficials."
Out of Michigan State, Kentucky, and Ole Miss, only the Wildcats have offered. He does expect Michigan State to extend the offer once he makes his way on campus to see the Spartans.
"They have not offered," Elliott said. "They have seen a lot of film and they like me. Once I get up there and meet them all and talk to them that they will probably offer me."
In addition to those three schools, Elliott said that Vanderbilt, where two of his teammates are committed, and Auburn also remain in the picture for him. He plans to utilize all of his official visits in January.
"I haven't taken any official visits yet," Elliott said. "Right now I am trying to set them up. I am pretty confident I am going to take most of them in January. Right now I am just trying to set up the dates."
Elliott recently participated in the annual Subway High School All-Star Game.