Hall of Famer Riley Skinner Continues to Make Impact on Wake Forest with New Scholarship
6/24/2025 11:40:00 AM | Football
The Riley Skinner Family Scholarship will be a single use scholarship designed to help boost the Wake Forest program for years to come.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Throughout his four seasons at Wake Forest University, Riley Skinner built himself a legendary career with the Demon Deacons. A member of the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2021, Skinner led the Wake Forest football program to new heights during his time in Winston-Salem, including setting program records that stood for nearly a decade, as well as the Deacs second ACC Championship in 2006.
"When I got that scholarship offer eight days before signing day, it was a no-brainer for me that I wanted to go to Wake. I had already visited the campus once before, so I knew I loved it, but the availability of the additional scholarship funds opened a door for me that would eventually change the trajectory of my life in ways I could have never imagined."
As soon as Skinner stepped foot on campus, the highly-talented quarterback from Jacksonville took his opportunity, earning a starting spot as a redshirt freshman during the 2006 season.
During that first season under-center, Skinner threw for 2,052 yards and nine touchdowns to earn ACC Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-ACC honors and lead Wake Forest to a 10-2 record in the regular season and an ACC Championship victory in Skinner's hometown of Jacksonville over Georgia Tech.
"I would look back and say getting to play in the ACC Championship as a freshman in Jacksonville, in front of my hometown is something you can't script. I didn't have a scholarship until eight days before signing day, was third on the depth chart a week before the season started, got bumped in number two, became the starting quarterback in the blink of an eye after our first string quarterback gets hurt in the home opener, and then we go from being picked dead last in the conference to winning the ACC title in my hometown, in front of my entire extended family who had forever been ingrained in the city of Jacksonville. I don't know. It was a God thing."
Following an outstanding 2006 season, Skinner would continue to build up his hall of fame career over the next three years, leading the Demon Deacons to back-to-back winning seasons and postseason victories in 2007 and 2008. Skinner is the winningest quarterback in Wake Forest history and broke countless school records during his time with the Deacs, including setting the all-time record for career passing yards (9,762) and passing touchdowns (60), both of which stood for over a decade.
However, despite all the wins and the individual accolades that Skinner accomplished over his college career, one of Skinner's favorite parts of his time in Winston-Salem was the family that he built with his teammates and coaches.
"One defining memory I have wasn't around a win. It was my last home game of my career and we were playing Florida State. We lost a tough one at home, but after the game we gathered roughly 100 of my family, friends, teammates and coaches inside McCreary Tower to celebrate those four memorable years."
"The sting of the loss was quickly eased by the overwhelming love and support from those closest to me—not just family and friends, but also the coaches, faculty, administration, and members of Wake Forest staff who took the time to be with me and my teammates. That gesture meant a lot. After four-and-a-half years at Wake Forest, having those people show up—especially in the wake of a tough loss—spoke volumes about the culture of the University. In today's world, that kind of support is rare. I'll never forget that moment, surrounded by friends, family, and my Wake Forest family. It meant everything."
After graduating from Wake Forest, Skinner spent three years in Charlotte before returning to his hometown of Jacksonville to pursue a career in real estate development. Skinner joined the family business in 2013 and now runs Skinner Brothers Realty Co. alongside his father and older brother. Riley and his wife, Megan, also a Jacksonville native, have three boys Clayt (11), James (8), and Grady (6) who all love supporting the Deacs.
However, even after leaving the Demon Deacons, Skinner, as well as the rest of his family, have continued to be an integral part of the Wake Forest community through their efforts with the Deacon Club.
"Ever since graduating from Wake Forest, I've made a point to stay connected—whether through the football program, the athletic department, or the business school. My family and I now have commercial real estate investments in Winston-Salem, along with ongoing ties to the University, Athletics, and local business community. Those connections bring us back to Winston three-to-four times a year—and we wouldn't have it any other way."
Now, after 15 years since leaving Wake Forest following a legendary career on the field, Skinner has added onto his legacy by creating the Skinner Family Scholarship, a single use scholarship designed to help bolster the Wake Forest football program.
"Riley Skinner represents everything that's great about Wake Forest Football—grit, leadership, humility, and heart,' head coach Jake Dickert said. "His journey from under-recruited quarterback to ACC Champion and Hall of Famer is inspiring, and now, with the Skinner Family Scholarship, he's opening the door for future Deacons to chase their dreams. I'm incredibly grateful for Riley and Megan's generosity and the lasting impact this gift will have on our student-athletes and our program."
The decision for Skinner and his family to donate this scholarship was heavily influenced by his own history of receiving a similar scholarship while at Wake Forest, as well as his connection to another legendary Wake Forest quarterback that the scholarship was endowed by, Larry Russell.
"There was a connection between me and Larry Russell early on in my career because he's the other Wake Forest quarterback to lead the Deacs to an ACC Championship. I will never forget when he sent me his ACC Championship ring the week before the title game. He wanted me to wear it throughout the week to get used to what it felt like to have a championship ring on your finger. That was a memorable gesture.
"It wasn't until later in my career that I realized that I was the beneficiary of his scholarship. Larry was very intentional about being present throughout the 2006 season and the remainder of my career, and that meant a lot to me. I still talk to him and see him whenever I come back to Winston. Having a friendship with Larry Russell, 20 years later, continuously reminds me how the gift of a scholarship can have a lasting impact with a student-athlete."
That same impact that Russell had on him is something that has heavily inspired Skinner and his family to do through the creation of this new scholarship.
"To have that touch point with a particular player is really special and we hope to give back in ways that others gave back to me during my time at Wake."
Beyond continuing to build relationships and having a positive impact on current and future Wake Forest football players, Skinner and his family also hope that this scholarship will continue to build up a school and community that gave him the chance to not only be a great football player, but also a great person.
"I get fired up talking about Wake, talking about Winston-Salem, and Megan and I couldn't be happier to be able to do our little part to help the university and athletic Department continue to thrive.
"When I got that scholarship offer eight days before signing day, it was a no-brainer for me that I wanted to go to Wake. I had already visited the campus once before, so I knew I loved it, but the availability of the additional scholarship funds opened a door for me that would eventually change the trajectory of my life in ways I could have never imagined."
As soon as Skinner stepped foot on campus, the highly-talented quarterback from Jacksonville took his opportunity, earning a starting spot as a redshirt freshman during the 2006 season.
During that first season under-center, Skinner threw for 2,052 yards and nine touchdowns to earn ACC Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-ACC honors and lead Wake Forest to a 10-2 record in the regular season and an ACC Championship victory in Skinner's hometown of Jacksonville over Georgia Tech.
"I would look back and say getting to play in the ACC Championship as a freshman in Jacksonville, in front of my hometown is something you can't script. I didn't have a scholarship until eight days before signing day, was third on the depth chart a week before the season started, got bumped in number two, became the starting quarterback in the blink of an eye after our first string quarterback gets hurt in the home opener, and then we go from being picked dead last in the conference to winning the ACC title in my hometown, in front of my entire extended family who had forever been ingrained in the city of Jacksonville. I don't know. It was a God thing."
Following an outstanding 2006 season, Skinner would continue to build up his hall of fame career over the next three years, leading the Demon Deacons to back-to-back winning seasons and postseason victories in 2007 and 2008. Skinner is the winningest quarterback in Wake Forest history and broke countless school records during his time with the Deacs, including setting the all-time record for career passing yards (9,762) and passing touchdowns (60), both of which stood for over a decade.
However, despite all the wins and the individual accolades that Skinner accomplished over his college career, one of Skinner's favorite parts of his time in Winston-Salem was the family that he built with his teammates and coaches.
"One defining memory I have wasn't around a win. It was my last home game of my career and we were playing Florida State. We lost a tough one at home, but after the game we gathered roughly 100 of my family, friends, teammates and coaches inside McCreary Tower to celebrate those four memorable years."
"The sting of the loss was quickly eased by the overwhelming love and support from those closest to me—not just family and friends, but also the coaches, faculty, administration, and members of Wake Forest staff who took the time to be with me and my teammates. That gesture meant a lot. After four-and-a-half years at Wake Forest, having those people show up—especially in the wake of a tough loss—spoke volumes about the culture of the University. In today's world, that kind of support is rare. I'll never forget that moment, surrounded by friends, family, and my Wake Forest family. It meant everything."
After graduating from Wake Forest, Skinner spent three years in Charlotte before returning to his hometown of Jacksonville to pursue a career in real estate development. Skinner joined the family business in 2013 and now runs Skinner Brothers Realty Co. alongside his father and older brother. Riley and his wife, Megan, also a Jacksonville native, have three boys Clayt (11), James (8), and Grady (6) who all love supporting the Deacs.
However, even after leaving the Demon Deacons, Skinner, as well as the rest of his family, have continued to be an integral part of the Wake Forest community through their efforts with the Deacon Club.
"Ever since graduating from Wake Forest, I've made a point to stay connected—whether through the football program, the athletic department, or the business school. My family and I now have commercial real estate investments in Winston-Salem, along with ongoing ties to the University, Athletics, and local business community. Those connections bring us back to Winston three-to-four times a year—and we wouldn't have it any other way."
Now, after 15 years since leaving Wake Forest following a legendary career on the field, Skinner has added onto his legacy by creating the Skinner Family Scholarship, a single use scholarship designed to help bolster the Wake Forest football program.
"Riley Skinner represents everything that's great about Wake Forest Football—grit, leadership, humility, and heart,' head coach Jake Dickert said. "His journey from under-recruited quarterback to ACC Champion and Hall of Famer is inspiring, and now, with the Skinner Family Scholarship, he's opening the door for future Deacons to chase their dreams. I'm incredibly grateful for Riley and Megan's generosity and the lasting impact this gift will have on our student-athletes and our program."
The decision for Skinner and his family to donate this scholarship was heavily influenced by his own history of receiving a similar scholarship while at Wake Forest, as well as his connection to another legendary Wake Forest quarterback that the scholarship was endowed by, Larry Russell.
"There was a connection between me and Larry Russell early on in my career because he's the other Wake Forest quarterback to lead the Deacs to an ACC Championship. I will never forget when he sent me his ACC Championship ring the week before the title game. He wanted me to wear it throughout the week to get used to what it felt like to have a championship ring on your finger. That was a memorable gesture.
"It wasn't until later in my career that I realized that I was the beneficiary of his scholarship. Larry was very intentional about being present throughout the 2006 season and the remainder of my career, and that meant a lot to me. I still talk to him and see him whenever I come back to Winston. Having a friendship with Larry Russell, 20 years later, continuously reminds me how the gift of a scholarship can have a lasting impact with a student-athlete."
That same impact that Russell had on him is something that has heavily inspired Skinner and his family to do through the creation of this new scholarship.
"To have that touch point with a particular player is really special and we hope to give back in ways that others gave back to me during my time at Wake."
Beyond continuing to build relationships and having a positive impact on current and future Wake Forest football players, Skinner and his family also hope that this scholarship will continue to build up a school and community that gave him the chance to not only be a great football player, but also a great person.
"I get fired up talking about Wake, talking about Winston-Salem, and Megan and I couldn't be happier to be able to do our little part to help the university and athletic Department continue to thrive.
Football Media Availability (9/30/25)
Tuesday, September 30
Wake Forest Football Coach Jake Dickert Weekly Press Conference
Tuesday, September 30
Coach Jake Dickert Press Conference (Sept. 29, 2025)
Monday, September 29
Sept. 27, 2025: Coach Jake Dickert Postgame Press Conference Following Game vs. Georgia Tech
Sunday, September 28