ROCKINGHAM — National Signing Day is a celebration for college football fans, programs and coaches around the country with hopes of winning big in the near future, as well as for the players who will be trying to make that happen.

Here at Richmond Senior High School, a trio of senior Raiders will move on to the next level where they will try to continue the success that got them to this point.

Daryus Skinner, Quientel Goodwin and Lavell Ellerbe — along with their families — gathered in the high school’s media center Wednesday to sign their letters of intent.

Skinner will be attending Winston-Salem State in the fall, Goodwin will be playing for Catawba in a few months and Ellerbe will be lining up for Western Carolina.

Raiders coach Mike Castellano called them “three great young men” and said their GPAs average out to be 3.1 so “the classroom does matter.” All totaled, the three will receive a combined $621,000 in scholarship money.

“These guys never had to be told to go hard,” said Castellano. “Whether in the weight room, in the classroom or on the field.”

Goodwin said Catawba was the best fit for him and offered him the best deal. He plans to continue his career as a running back and kick returner for the Indians.

“That’s the one I wanted to attend,” he said of his new school.

The environment, how the school looked and the football program at Western Carolina were all deciding factors when Ellerbe chose the Catamounts, and he hopes to be the team’s No. 1 receiver next season.

“It’s not too far from home, it’s not too close,” Skinner said, explaining why he picked Winston-Salem State. “They have great football facilities and great academics. And I wanted to play on a red team.”

He expects to line up as a safety for the Rams next fall.

Placed on the table where the three were sitting were a trio of commemorative Super Bowl 50 golden footballs. The NFL sent the special footballs to every high school in the country with alumni who have played in a Super Bowl.

Richmond Senior’s Super Bowl alumns include Perry Williams with the New York Giants in 1987 and 1991, Oscar Sturgis with the Dallas Cowboys in 1995, Tony Horne with the St. Louis Rams in 2000 and Dannell Ellerbe with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013.

RSHS Athletic Director Ricky Young said that should provide motivation for the three signees, showing them there is always something to strive for.

“We’re excited for these three young men,” said Castellano. “They’re great young men and great football players. Our goal is to get our guys to do better down the road. It just goes to show it’s possible to go to college, and that can lead to a bright future.”

Reach reporter Matt Harrelson at 910-817-2674, follow him on Twitter @mattyharrelson and listen to him at 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays on G-104.3 FM.

Matt Harrelson | Daily Journal Former Raider football standouts Lavell Ellerbe, Quintel Goodwin and Daryus Skinner sign their letters of intent Wednesday during National Signing Day. Pictured with them, left to right, are family members Jimmy Tillman Jr., Jimmy Tillman, Wendy Ellerbe, Nicole Goodwin, Arlicia Little and Daryl Skinner.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_DSC_1019-1.jpgMatt Harrelson | Daily Journal Former Raider football standouts Lavell Ellerbe, Quintel Goodwin and Daryus Skinner sign their letters of intent Wednesday during National Signing Day. Pictured with them, left to right, are family members Jimmy Tillman Jr., Jimmy Tillman, Wendy Ellerbe, Nicole Goodwin, Arlicia Little and Daryl Skinner.
Skinner, Goodwin, Ellerbe sign letters of intent

By Matt Harrelson

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