Fredonia football standout Jake Skinner officially signed his letter of intent to play NCAA Division I FCS college football at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut. Skinner signed in the Fredonia Central School library after school on Thursday in front of family, friends and coaches.

“Getting everything paid for was my number one goal, then finding a good school for academics,” said Skinner, who will be majoring in Athletic Training at CCSU on a full-ride NCAA scholarship. “I was finding a new home, because I already made Fredonia my home. I want to spread the Fredonia culture to other schools and other people. I want to teach people about the Western New York lifestyle and what New York is all about for football, because it’s very underrated.”

Playing at the next level was a goal for Skinner that came to fruition over the past year. Skinner recalls that last January, he first heard of a school reaching out for information on him. From then, he met with coaches from multiple NCAA Division I colleges.

“I think a lot of people, in a small area like we’re in, don’t realize what it takes to become a true Division I athlete at this level, especially in football,” said Fredonia head football coach Greg Sherlock. “For Jake, to be in the class that has his entire schooling paid for, it’s pretty amazing to be able to coach someone like him.”

Fredonia’s Jake Skinner (89) carries the ball during a game against Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton earlier this year. Skinner signed a D-I football scholarship with Central Connecticut on Thursday. OBSERVER File Photo.

Sherlock knows how rare it is to have a player with the talent and dedication to his craft that Skinner brought to the Fredonia program.

“Did I think I’d ever have a Division I athlete, no. It’s very hard to get someone to that level,” said Greg Sherlock. “He dedicated much of the last year of his life to football, and it really takes that to be seen and get those offers.”

Once Fredonia assistant coach Jordan Sherlock helped produce game film of Skinner to send to interested coaches and share on social media, the interest in the 6-foot-4, 240 pound Fredonia athlete gained plenty of traction.

“I think a big part was (Jordan Sherlock) getting that film out. That was huge, because without that film, it would have been hard to get those looks. That’s when the college coaches started calling,” said Greg Sherlock. “Jake’s got the natural height and size. College coaches look for those measurables. When you look at a highlight tape and you see his measurables, interest comes.”

But as honored as Skinner was to receive the initial interest from college programs, he never stopped getting his name out there for coaches to see. Skinner went to multiple camps and showcases over the spring and summer, including an unofficial visit at the University of Alabama in early April. He returned in the summer for a camp, where he met Alabama coach Nick Saban, which is an experience Skinner will never forget.

“Getting to go to those big programs and do something not many people get to do. … I did the math on it, and just under 1 percent of people actually get a full-ride offer to a Division I offer,” said Skinner. “I cherish the opportunity and I take in every moment of it. … I watch a team on television like Alabama and I can say I met that coach. I see Saban on an Aflac commercial and I can say ‘I shook that guy’s hand.’ … 40 years down the road, when my kids or grand-kids ask, that’s a story I can tell.”

Skinner received his first offer from Bryant University on May 28. Next came an offer from Seton Hill University. Then, the interest by the Central Connecticut Blue Devils resulted in an offer, which was the third of what ended up as seven NCAA offers for the Fredonia tight end. While there was interest before the trip down to Alabama, the interest in Skinner shot up even higher after he returned home.

“When Alabama came in, that’s when it really turned on. The offers started rolling in, but I was really working for that first offer. Once I got that first offer, I knew I had something to fall back on,” said Skinner. “Then, the sky was the limit. I went out and contacted everyone — every single day I was contacting and staying in touch with coaches, as much as I could. It was a grind for the last 10 months.”

The interest from college programs continued throughout Skinner’s senior season. By the time the early signing period rolled around this week, Skinner had seven offers: Bryant, Seton Hill, Central Connecticut, Sacred Heart, Southwest Minnesota State, Stony Brook and Long Island University. Skinner visited a total of 19 schools, including unofficial visits to Division I FBS schools like the University at Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and even Virginia Tech, where he watched a game on the sidelines against Pittsburgh. Skinner also participated in the Prospects of NY State showcase and The Opening showcase, in addition to camps at schools like UB, Rutgers, UNLV, and of course, Alabama.

“There were lots of emails, lots of Twitter direct messages. There were hundreds — and Jordan (Sherlock) was a big part of that. I was just trying to get my name out there to as many people as I could,” said Skinner. “I wanted to explore and take an opportunity as far as I could. I could have stopped right when I got the Central Connecticut offer, but when I see an opportunity, I’m going to take it. I wanted to squeeze everything I could out of it. It was an amazing experience and something I’ll never forget.”

When the process wound down to the final days before the early signing period opened this week, Skinner and his family welcomed Central Connecticut Offensive Coordinator Jeff Ambrosie for an in-home visit. Skinner also visited the campus on an official visit — one of two he took through the process, along with Sacred Heart. It came down to those two schools for Skinner, who got exactly what he wanted from both schools through the process. Eventually, Skinner made the choice to become a Blue Devil.

“It came down to the atmosphere. Both schools — Central Connecticut and Sacred Heart — in writing, everything was paid for. But it came down to where I felt most comfortable — including the coaching, athletics and academics. Everything put together, Central Connecticut was the best fit, the place I could excel the most.”

Central connecticut has had recent success at the FCS level. The Blue Devils have made the FCS playoffs in two of the past three seasons, including this season. Central Connecticut went 11-1 through the regular season and 7-0 in conference play in the Northeast Conference. The Blue Devils lost to Albany in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

“It’s not just that they are winning, it’s their winning culture,” said Skinner about how the success of the program in recent years was appealing to him as a recruit. “Around the school, it’s ‘Do the best you can. Be the best you can. Make the biggest impact. Help the most people.’ … and that’s what I looked for, making an impact.”

Skinner’s path to the next level has already left an impact on the Fredonia football program. Now, others may be able to follow a similar blueprint.

“He’s somebody that now, kids can look up to as someone they can strive to be,” said Greg Sherlock. “Jake is such great motivation for everyone in Fredonia, and even in the area. How many Division I athletes do we have in Western New York, especially in the Southern Tier. Maybe this will give motivation to people in this area to want to be like him.”

Skinner also believes the path is there for others to follow in his footsteps.

“If you want to have it, you can’t wait for it. You have to go get it. If there’s a camp that costs $80, do it, because you’re saving thousands of dollars in the long run,” said Skinner. “Don’t doubt yourself. … If you care about something enough, there should be no excuses. If you want it enough, it’s going to happen.”

Through all the long road trips on visits or to camps or showcases, Fredonia’s hometown boy has become one of the most well-traveled recruits this area has ever seen. For those who were along for the ride, every mile was well worth it.

“This whole process has been fun, it’s been a great experience … Jake had never been on an airplane or gone on a subway. He’d never taken an Uber or a taxi,” said Greg Sherlock. “Every mode of transportation shy of getting on a boat, he’s done it. He’s been around the country now.”