Rancifer thought about committing

Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic linebacker Demarius Rancifer took his first official visit this week travelling to Kentucky. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound tackling machine had a good time learning about everything the program has to offer.

"It was great," Rancifer said. "I got to see the facilities. I got to talk with the coaches. They have a new defensive coordinator, I talked to him. I like the defensive scheme that the new coordinator is about to put in. I talked to all of the coaches and I liked all of them. I liked everything about it."

"There was a lot I liked," Rancifer added. "I really liked the way they practiced and the tempo. I like the way Coach Joker (Phillips) handles his team. I liked that a lot."

He got a chance to speak one-on-one with Head Coach Joker Phillips.

"He told me they want to win a national championship," Rancifer said. "He told me that I can help them win it. He really showed a liking towards me and I liked that a lot."

Kentucky recently parted with a pair of coaches and will be making some changes on the defensive side of the ball with their new hires.

"They are making a couple changes on defense," Rancifer said. "They are going to a 3-4, with Coach (Rick) Minter, the new defensive coordinator. I like that, I have been wanting to play in that defense for the longest but never got the chance. I talked to the coaches about it and that they are going to run it. I feel pretty comfortable with that if I go there."

During the visit, Rancifer was hosted on his visit by freshman linebacker Avery Williamson.

"He told me the program was great," Rancifer said. "He said they are a family up there. The academics are great. He said the coaches are great. He said that if you put the hard work in you see results."

The three-star linebacker nearly committed to the Lexington-based program during his visit.

"I did," Rancifer said of nearly committing. "One thing that held me back is that I have an official visit with West Virginia in January. So I am going to go ahead and do that visit before I make a decision. I may also go to see Ole Miss, I am not sure."

Rancifer plans to visit West Virginia the weekend of January 14th.

As for academics, Rancifer plans to take a standardized test in January.