Skillings attended Derry High School, where he practiced football and track. He was a two-way player at running back and cornerback. He received All-state honors as a senior.
He was state finalist in the 100, 220 and 440-yard dash as a senior.
Skillings accepted a football scholarship from Ohio State University, to play under head coach Woody Hayes. As a freshman, he tore his right knee while playing on special teams.[1] As a sophomore, he became a starter at safety and led the team with 6 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown).
As a junior, he was moved to cornerback and tied for second on the team with 3 interceptions. As a senior, he was tied for second on the team with 4 interceptions. At the time, his 13 career interceptions ranked fifth All-time in school history.
- ^ "Skillings: OSU Confidence Man". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "1981 NFL Draft". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Cowboys deal Manning to Buffalo again". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "The Buffalo Bills cut six players Monday and team..." Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Skillings signs with Concorde". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Skillings signs with Raiders". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved March 23, 2019.