Team Detail
Hugh signs with the 'Hoos - Oconee Enterprise
Hugh Laughlin had plenty of college football offers to choose from but, in the end, one program stole his attention.
The Athens Academy senior chose to join the Virginia football team. Laughlin made that decision official when he formally signed with the Cavaliers, informally known as the Wahoos/’Hoos, during a signing ceremony held Dec. 16 at Athens Academy.
“It's nice to get out here and make it official,” Laughlin said after signing the required forms to accept the scholarship offer months after originally committing to Virginia.
Laughlin was recognized by Athens Academy as part of a large ceremony that also honored a handful of other college athletic signees.
His head coach, Josh Alexander, momentarily addressed the crowd just before Laughlin put pen to paper. Alexander told those gathered in the Sinkwich Spartan Center that what impresses him about Laughlin is his on-field abilities and off-field demeanor.
“It's just been a real honor to coach him for four years and watch him grow,” Alexander said. “Not only is he a great football player but he's growing into a great man. Congratulations, this is well deserved.”
For Laughlin, the signing ceremony was a major milestone. He said he’s dreamt of being a college football player for many years.
By joining Virginia, Laughlin gets the chance to achieve that dream.
“I've always wanted to do it,” Laughlin said. “I guess it's always sort of been a goal of mine ever since I was a little kid playing youth football.”
Laughlin’s college football aspirations began taking shape when he entered the high school ranks.
Looking back on his time with the Spartans, Laughlin said there were days where he would not have expected to get a scholarship offer.
“It just feels really good,” Laughlin said. “It's crazy. If I could go back four years, I wouldn't expect myself to be here, but I am. I'm just thankful for it.”
As a talented and versatile player who can contribute on either side of the field, Laughlin drew attention from some of the top programs in the country.
Laughlin received nearly 30 scholarship offers. Virginia seemed to offer him the total package, which is what convinced Laughlin to pick Virginia.
“Their coaching staff and the way they carry themselves (separated Virginia from the others),” Laughlin said. “It just seemed like it would be the best fit for me, along with the academic side of it.”
Laughlin said he will likely study business when he begins classes.
As for his on-field goals, Laughlin said he wants to help Virginia take down Clemson, which has owned the ACC since 2015.
“I want to win an ACC championship,” Laughlin said. “I want to knock off Clemson because Clemson's the big dog in the ACC. I've been talking with the recruits in my class and that's what we want to do.”
Laughlin and the other Spartan seniors saw their careers at Athens Academy come to a close this year.
Together, they helped the program achieve high levels of success and win a lot of games.
That makes Laughlin proud about the legacy he and the other seniors are leaving behind.
“I feel really good about it,” he said. “It's just good memories now but we were a very strong team. I'm very thankful for my memories with those guys.”
Athens Academy
Athens Academy is an independent, co-educational school for students in K3 through 12th grade, located on a beautiful 152-acre campus in Northeast Georgia. For over 50 years, Athens Academy has pursued its mission of Excellence with Honor through academics, athletics, fine arts, and service and leadership.
