By LARRY VAUGHT

South Carolina defensive tackle Brice Laughlin liked everything he saw at Kentucky when he came to watch the Wildcats play Tennessee. He liked UK even more when he came on his official visit last weekend.

That’s why the 6-3, 280-pound Laughlin has de-committed from Maryland and has verbally committed to Kentucky.

His father, Bryan, said Maryland did nothing wrong and that the family was impressed with Maryland’s coaching staff and recruitment. “It was  not what Maryland does not have. Kentucky was just a better fit and choice,” Brian Laughlin said.

He came with his son to the Tennessee game, which was his first trip to the state. He liked the city, but really liked the UK fans. “The thing that jumped out was the fan base. Walking through the tailgating crowd to the stadium, you could tell it was a big ordeal to the fans and the support was great. We had a great time,” Bryan Laughlin said.

His son came on  his official visit by himself to make sure he could tell if Kentucky clearly was the right fit. However, his decision to commit to Kentucky did not surprise his father.

“We kind of sensed it was coming. He certainly wanted to take a look at Kentucky. The offer from Kentucky after he committed to Maryland. We never got a chance to visit during the season because of logistics,” Bryan Laughlin said. “He liked coach (Joker) Phillips when he met and promised he could check it out.

“Fortunately we were able to do it, had a great experience and he wanted to know more about it and that’s how it unfolded.  He was going to take his official visit to Maryland, but when he came back from Kentucky he a really good feel for the program and knew that is where he wanted to be. I support him either way, but I had my clear favorite. I just didn’t want to voice my opinion until he came back from Kentucky.”

Brice Laughlin attended a private school as a sophomore before transferring to Summerville High School last year. He was playing defensive end and defensive tackle when he injured a thumb ligament that required immediate surgery and forced him to miss all but the final game.

This year he played nose guard, tackle and end on the defensive front. “It just depended on what they needed. He saw a lot of double teams,” his father said.

Bryan Laughlin says most college coaches have told his son he could play either tackle or end in college, but he wants to start out at end.

“It just depends on where he best fits,” his father said. “I think his playing weight was between 265 and 270 this year. He has good feet and changes direction well. That is his strongest suit. He moves very well.”

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