Riverside linebackers Daniel Everett and Iran James both signed letters of intent to play college football during Wednesday’s National Signing Day.

Everett put the pen to paper and became the first football player in Riverside’s history to commit to a NCAA Division I school, Elon University. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound wide receiver/linebacker recorded 31 catches for 536 yards and six touchdowns on offense. But it was his 92 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions on the defensive side of the ball that drew interest from a handful of schools.

“It was a great campus, great people all around. I felt at home,” said Everett shortly after committing to Elon. “My coaches got me here where I am now. Without my head coach, Coach [Asim] McGill, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now. For him to take me to camps during the summer, telling me how to work, it helped me out a lot.”

The 5-foot-10, 230-pound James, another standout Riverside linebacker, decided to stay local and sign with Elizabeth City State University. James also received scholarship offers from Chowan University and Fayetteville State University.

“Great campus, I felt at home,” said James after signing his letter of intent. “The coaches showed me love. I felt like it’s where I needed to be.”

The pair of linebackers were some of the more highly coveted 1A football products in the area. To have them come from not only the same school, but the same defense scheme is a remarkable feat.

“Those guys were great leaders. My senior class did a great job,” said McGill. “They were the bell towers; they led the way for us. We play a tough nonconference schedule and those guys did a great job.”

Both players are leaders on the field and in the classroom. The Riverside coach expects both to excel on and off the field at the next level.

“I think they’re going to be good,” said McGill. “The sky is the limit, as long as they keep working hard and embrace the grind.”