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Dorchester players announce college plans

Published Thursday, February 04, 2010 1:02 PM

By Roger Lee
Summerville Journal Scene ®

Excitement filled the halls, auditoriums and conference rooms of local high schools Wednesday as football recruits announced where they plan to spend their next four seasons.

Feb. 3 was National Signing Day, the first day high school seniors are allowed to sign letters formally stating their intent to play for a college football program. This year three Green Wave standouts, plus a soccer player, signed with the college team of their choice on Signing Day. Over at Fort Dorchester, five Patriot standouts announced where they would play their college ball.

Summerville defensive end Brice Laughlin had verbally committed to play for the University of Maryland, but changed his mind prior to the big day and instead signed with the University of Kentucky.

“I just felt Kentucky was a better fit for me as far as the location and the program,” Laughlin said. “I took a visit to Kentucky in December and then decommitted to Maryland. It’s a relief to get the decision out of the way and I’m looking forward to playing in the SEC.”

Green Wave center/long snapper Devin Taylor, who played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star game in December, signed with Coastal Carolina.

“Their football program is on the rise,” Taylor said. “The program is only about eight years old, but it has already produced four NFL players and a bunch of All-Americans. Also, they have one of the best business programs around. Not being able to play football is killing me so I’m ready to go and get after it.”

Summerville kicker/linebacker Michael Scholz is one of three Dorchester County athletes who signed with The Citadel.

“We went to some Citadel games early in the season and started talking to some of the coaches,” Scholz said. “Things just kind of took off from there. I like the structure of the school and the tradition there. My dad, granddad and uncle went there and I like their football program. I’m happy I get the chance to continue playing football.”

Sara Smith, a forward for the Lady Wave soccer team, signed with Belmont Abbey College, which is located in Belmont, N.C.

“I like the size of the school and its campus,” Smith said. “I wanted to go somewhere out of state so that factored into my decision. Also, they have a good soccer program.”

Two Fort Dorchester seniors signed with The Citadel football program. Patriot running back Michael Sellers proved he could score and get the tough yards in his time at the Fort, but he says the Bulldogs are considering moving him to the defensive side of the ball.

“I might play as a linebacker or a defensive lineman,” Sellers said. “It will probably be a bit of a challenge, but it will still be me hitting people so I’m ready for it. It’s a great school and I’m excited about having a chance to play Division 1 ball.”

Patriot linebacker Geno Porter, who was named the All-County Line Player of the Year for Dorchester County and North-South all-star, also signed with The Citadel.

“I’m thrilled,” Porter said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge and just the whole experience. I like the tradition at The Citadel. They have a great football program, excellent academics and an engineering program, which I’m interested in. They started talking to me last spring and I like what they offer.”

Bradley Jefferson, who saw action on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball for the Pats, is one of two Patriots headed to Greenville, Tennessee for their college experience. He says the Tusculum College coaches haven’t really indicated exactly where he will fit in.

“I talked to their coaches for several months and like what they have to say,” Jefferson said. “I know they need more guys for the defensive line so they may put me there or even have me play some both ways. There was a point when I thought I might not get to play college ball so I’m excited.”

Patriot defensive back Tyler Walker also signed with Tusculum.

“It’s a small school and they seem to have like a family environment that would be easy to fit into,” Walker said. “The coaches seem to want me to step in and make an impact right away, which is what I want to do. They just made me feel like they really wanted me up there. I think they may use me as both a safety and a cornerback.”

Fellow defensive back Laurez Matthews, a North-South all-star, signed with Catawba College, located in Salisbury, N.C.

“The big thing was I like the environment at the school,” Matthews said. “They want me to play free safety, but I might also get a chance to make returns. This is a great opportunity. I’m looking forward to that first game.”

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.

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