Maryland linebackers coach Al Seamonson has been known to unearth a hidden gem or two down in his South Carolina recruiting territory.

But Seamonson had a little help with his latest Palmetto State find, Summerville defensive tackle Brice Laughlin, who committed to Maryland on Thursday.

From 1998-2002, Summerville offensive coordinator Joe Call was a quarterback at The Citadel. Two Bulldogs assistants at the time were none other than Seamonson and current Terps defensive line coach Dave Sollazzo. The ex-Citadel signal-caller was willing and able to point his former coaches in Laughlin’s direction.

“Coach Seamonson recruits our area,” Call said. “When he was down here last year, we kind of told him about Brice. Coach Sollazzo kept in touch after that and Coach Seamonson came down for a recruiting visit.”

When Laughlin, 6 feet 3, 270 pounds, sought advice on the Terps, Call was the logical person to ask.

“I told Brice, ‘I played under these coaches, they’re going to care about you as a person, as a student and as a football player, and I know that for a fact because that’s how they were when I played for them,’” Call said. “They’re honest, that’s one thing I keep telling him. They’re not going to lie to you. [They said] the academics are tough at Maryland and the ACC is not going to be easy. And he kind of appreciated their honesty.”

Maryland was Laughlin’s only official scholarship offer, while Clemson, N.C. State and several other programs were keeping tabs on him. Call said there’s a simple explanation for Laughlin’s low-profile recruitment.

“Brice missed five games for us with an injury [to his thumb that required surgery],” Call said. “[Several programs] knew he was a player, but a lot of people said, ‘lets see what he can do this year.’ But Coach Seamonson and Coach Sollazzo have always had an eye for finding good talent and I think he falls in that category.”

Summerville finished 10-3 last year, winning their sixth straight regional championship before losing in the playoffs to the eventual state champion. Call said he can’t wait to plug Laughlin back into Summerville’s starting lineup and unleash the now-healthy defensive tackle on the competition.

“He’s an inside guy with quickness and size, which is hard to find for a defensive lineman,” Call said. “He’s just a menace. He’s got a motor that just doesn’t stop. Coach [Ralph] Friedgen and Coach Sollazzo and Coach Seamonson all liked that about him. He goes 100 miles per hour and is just relentless to the football. ... He’s a 4.8 [40] guy -- a defensive lineman that can run. We love him. I’m looking forward to having him for another year.”