Six American River College football players signed to Division I and Division II schools during National Signing Day, an event in which athletes can sign letters of intent to NCAA schools.
Quarterback Daniel Lewis, offensive lineman Zach Heath, defensive linemen Jordan Carrell and Ewing Simmons and defensive tackles Ray Edwards and Sam Woods all signed letters of intent.
Carrell was named NorCal defensive MVP of the 2014 season, where he recorded 58 tackles and eight sacks.
Carell verbally committed to the University of Colorado, a Division 1 school, where he will receive a full scholarship.
Lewis signed a full ride football scholarship to the University of Virginia at Wise on Jan. 6. last season. Lewis was one of five quarterbacks on ARC’s roster.
Edwards signed a full ride scholarship to Wingate University in North Carolina after registering 3.5 sacks and 13 total tackles during the 2014 season.
“I have been waiting for this all my life, I did all of it for my family. I am the first person in my family to go to a university. This was my biggest dream,” Edwards said of his signing.
Edwards’s brother, Xavier Arthur, who plays defensive back at ARC, said it felt good to watch his brother sign to a Division II school.
“It was good, (because) we worked hard, we worked hard, and just to see that at least one of got to sign on the actual National Signing Day, that was impressive man, to see that the hard work payed off,” said Arthur.
Woods signed a partial scholarship to the University of Southern Oregon, saying he feels blessed to play for a team that won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes championship last season.
“(The school is) a really good fit, they have a tremendous program and they just won a national championship,” said Woods.
Simmons signed with the University of New Mexico after registering four sacks and 13 total tackles in his final season at ARC.
Michael Philips contributed to this report.