All Dominick Richards wanted was a shot at the NFL.

The Washington Redskins are giving him that shot.Tuesday morning at 4:30 a.m., Richards, a former Marian High School and James Madison scholar athlete, received a phone call from his agent saying that the Redskins want to sign him for their three-day mini camp that begins later this month.It's been a four- month rollercoaster ride of emotions for Richards, who anchored the line at the center position for James Madison University's high-powered offense."The average fan has no idea what college prospects go through with the combines, the OTAs, Pro Day and the three-day draft," said Richards.The Jim Thorpe resident's performances attracted interest from the Eagles, Jets, Ravens, and Steelers. He watched and waited through the draft with the hope that someone would call."The Eagles seemed really interested," he said. "They scouted me several times. My agent thought they might draft me."A particular disappointment to Richards during the draft was the selection of a center from Alabama who scouts raved about because he bench pressed 225 pounds for 25 repetitions. Most Division 1 offensive linemen average 22 reps at this weight.Richards has bench pressed 225 pounds for 29 repetitions.At the Washington mini camp, Richards, at 6-5, 305 pounds, will bang pads with other hopefuls and he likes his chances."The Redskins did not draft any linemen. The ones I will be evaluated against were called back from last year's camp.""I know what I have to do, " he said. "I have to wow some people."The first person he wanted to "wow" before he goes to the camp was his father, Ralph."I stopped for gas on the way to my clothing store in Tamaqua," said Ralph. "When I left my cell phone in the car to pay inside, that's when Dominick tried to call with the exciting news."Ralph offered these statistics to support how proud he and his family are of Dominick."Dom ranked seventh out of 300 at the regional NFL combine in New Orleans, " he said. "Even more impressive is the fact that 40,000 college players buckle up their chin straps each year and only 253 are drafted. Each pro team will then sign a select few free agents."Perhaps the most excitement for Dominick on a personal level was the surprise set up for his grandfather, Ralph Sr., who is a lifelong Redskins' fan."I told him to come to the store for something," said Ralph. "When he showed up, Dominick was there and he said to him, 'Pap, I'm going to be a Redskin."'The Richards' family lives by the words, "God has a plan for each of us and He puts us where we need to be."Dominick Richards will soon find out if God's plan for him is to play professional football in the NFL."I got my chance and that's all I could ask for," he said. "No matter what happens, this trip has already been one wild ride."