The combination of schooling, football and family ties at the University of Wyoming was too much for Frederick’s Lafai Purcell to ignore. He announced his commitment on Twitter, and he'll sign his letter of intent in early May.

“I chose Wyoming because it has a great sports medicine program, and I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “Wyoming has always had my heart. It’s where my uncle (Mike Purcell) played, and my sister (Lilli Martin) is one of the cheer coaches there. It’s been a big place for my family, and it’s been my dream to go here since I was little.”

The Golden Eagles advanced to the second round of the state playoffs last season. In nine games. Purcell caught five passes for 45 yards. He also accounted for 32 total tackles. All but one were solo efforts.

“I was able to go on a visit during football season and meet a lot of the coaches and people I would be around,” Purcell said. “I will have another visit coming up here in the next couple of months.”

Other schools had some interest “but no one who really caught my eye like Wyoming did.”

His plan is to study chiropractic medicine and get an advanced degree. He was looking at jobs in sports medicine and thought his field of study sounded interesting. His dream may get in the way of professional interests – at least at first.

“I have the dream, like most players, to get into the NFL,” he said. “But I know the chances of that happening aren’t very high. But if that doesn’t work, then I’ll try and become a chiropractor.”

As was the case with a lot of high-school athletes over the past three years, the pandemic disrupted Purcell’s recruiting efforts.

“The pandemic played a lot because it killed my sophomore season and I couldn’t have a full season,” he said. “Also. it was hard to train and everything to get better.”

In the end, things worked out just fine.

“I’m nervous to be playing with the best of the best and, now, it’s going to be harder,” Purcell said. “But I’m excited and ready for the journey.”