Gamecocks' Ellington making move to play football

The whispers in Moncks Corner, growing in number and volume since December, are now audible at the University of South Carolina: Bruce Ellington is making a move to play football for the Gamecocks.

A source inside the football office confirmed today that the freshman point guard has spoken this week with both basketball coach Darrin Horn and a couple of USC’s football coaches.

The football team has not made the announcement officially because it’s still learning when he will be eligible. Because Ellington signed in the early period for basketball, an NCAA rule prevents him from participating in another sport until the completion of the player’s first academic year. USC’s football coaches are working to determine whether participating is deemed to be practice or games.

Worst-case scenario for the football team, the 5-9, 200-pound Ellington will join the Gamecocks this summer.

Ellington was part of the Berkeley High School 2009 state championship football team, doing a lot of damage with his legs at the quarterback position. The Gamecocks are targeting Ellington as a possible slot receiver, scatback and return man, though they’re unsure how exactly he will be used until he gets on the field.