Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has emerged as a potential candidate for the South Carolina head coaching job.

Sources indicate that Pruitt has a recommendation from former Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt and that he has been in contact with the Gamecocks about the position.

Pruitt is believed to be highly-interested in the South Carolina vacancy.

Also, we are told that the rumors of Pruitt having “baggage” off the field are unfounded and are the result of personality conflicts with the UGA administration.

“The situation was completely overblown,” a well-connected source to Pruitt said.

Pruitt has a strong reputation as a recruiter, earning 247Sports National Recruiter of the Year award for the 2012 recruiting cycle while an assistant at Alabama. The Rainsville, Ala., native has also been a part of three national championship teams- including two with the Crimson Tide (2011-12) and one as the defensive coordinator at Florida State in 2013.

The 41-yeard old played college football at Middle Tennessee State and Alabama.

Sources also indicate that Pruitt has such a strong reputation in the coaching community that he would “no doubt” be near the top of the list for the Crimson Tide head coaching job should that job open, even without head coaching experience.

Another interesting aspect of Pruitt- he is not represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which has Houston head coach Tom Herman (Trace Armstrong), Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp (Jimmy Sexton) on its client roster. Communication with USC has been through his representation. â€¨â€¨Herman, Smart and Muschamp all have been mentioned in connection with the South Carolina job. Herman parlayed the interest from the Gamecocks into a raise from Houston to at least $3 million annually, Smart is believed to be the leading candidate at Georgia, though he has an offer in hand from the Gamecocks and Muschamp is a candidate that has been gaining serious momentum in the search in recent days.

It is unknown if Pruitt’s candidacy will gain major traction as South Carolina is looking to wrap up its search in the very near future, but there is enough intel to believe he’s moved into the pool of candidates.