David Sills (American football)

David Sills V (born May 29, 1996) is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). As a seventh-grade quarterback in 2010, he garnered national attention when he verbally committed to play football at the University of Southern California. In 2014, Sills decommitted from USC and eventually signed a national letter of intent to play at West Virginia University.[1][2] Sills began his college career as a quarterback, but moved to wide receiver as a freshman. After spending his freshman year playing for the West Virginia Mountaineers, Sills transferred to El Camino College, but transferred back to West Virginia in 2017. He led the nation that season in touchdown receptions and was a first team 2017 College Football All-America Team selection by Sporting News, Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports for the 2017 West Virginia Mountaineers. He led the 2018 Big 12 Conference in touchdowns and was named 2018 All-Big 12 Conference football team first team selection as well as a Second-team 2018 College Football All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and American Football Coaches Association.

This article is about the American football wide receiver. For appellate judge and politician, see David Sills.

David Sills V
Sills at 2018 Big 12 Media Days
No. 84 – New York Giants
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1996-05-29) May 29, 1996
Wilmington, Delaware
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Eastern Christian Academy
(Elkton, Maryland)
College:West Virginia
Undrafted:2019
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com

Early life

Sills was born in 1996. His parents are Denise and David Sills IV. He has two older sisters, Emma and Abby. His father is a commercial developer and contractor,[3] who played cornerback for the Virginia Military Institute.[4] He began playing youth football at age six and began training at age nine with quarterback trainer Steve Clarkson.[5][6]

Lane Kiffin offered Sills a scholarship to play college football at USC in 2010.[7] Sills gave USC a non-binding verbal commitment in 2010.[3][8][9] Sills was among the youngest football players to receive a scholarship offer from a major football program.[10][11][12]

High school career

As a high school freshman, Sills was the starting quarterback for Red Lion Christian Academy, a private Delaware school for grades K-12.[3] Sports Illustrated hailed him as one of the greatest prospects ever,[13] and Bloomberg News described him as the "best arm money can buy".[14] At Red Lion in 2010, he accumulated 1,355 passing yards and nine touchdowns against five interceptions in eight games.[15] In 2011, he totalled 2,340 yards and 28 touchdowns in what was his second year as a varsity quarterback. He was named a MaxPreps.com U.S. Air Force second-team freshman All-American.[16][17]

As a sophomore, Sills became the quarterback for Eastern Christian Academy (ECA) of Elkton, Maryland. The move was controversial because the school was a newly-formed online school. All enrolled boys were on the 46-man football team established by David Sills IV to showcase their talents to college scouts.[18][19] Eastern Christian Academy was only able to play in three games in 2012 due to the school's failure to gain accreditation from the state.[20][21] As a junior, Sills injured his knuckle and his delivery was impacted forever. He lost his perfect delivery technique.[4]

Lane Kiffin, who had originally offered Sills a scholarship back in 2010, was fired by USC in 2013. He was replaced by Ed Orgeron on an interim basis. Eventually, USC would hire Steve Sarkisian to become the new head coach. According to Sills' father, Sarkisian told his son that USC would honor their scholarship offer. While receiving reassurance from Sarkisian, the Sills got the feeling that David wasn't USC's first option. USC had offered and eventually signed two highly ranked quarterbacks in the same class, Sam Darnold and Ricky Town. Sills decommitted from USC in June 2014.[1]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
David Sills
QB		 Elkton, Maryland Red Lion (DE) (FR.)
Eastern Christian Academy (MD)		 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) NA  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 29 (QB)   Rivals: 14 (QB, prostyle), 8, (MD)  ESPN: 17 (QB, pocket passer), 8, (MD)
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "West Virginia Commit List for 2015". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  • "Scout.com Football Recruiting: West Virginia". Scout.com. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  • "RecruitTracker 2015: West Virginia". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 14, 2012.

    College career

    West Virginia

    On July 16, 2014, Sills announced his commitment to West Virginia University via Twitter.[22][23] Sills was one of West Virginia's early enrollees from the 2015 recruiting class. As a result, he was able to participate in spring practice. He battled fellow quarterbacks Skyler Howard, William Crest Jr. and Chris Chugunov for the starting quarterback spot.[2][24][25] Howard was eventually named the starting quarterback.[26][27] Sills earned playing time as a wide receiver after impressing coaches with his performance on the scout team.[4] On October 17, 2015, Sills made his collegiate debut against the Baylor Bears. He finished the game with two receptions for 64 yards. His second collegiate reception was a 35-yard touchdown.[28][29] He made the game-winning touchdown reception in the 2016 Cactus Bowl against Arizona State and ended the season with seven receptions for 131 yards.[30]

    During spring drills in 2016, Sills split time between quarterback and wide receiver.[30] After West Virginia's 2016 spring game, West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen stated that Howard solidified his position as the starting quarterback and that Crest and Chugunov would continue to battle for the backup quarterback spot. With several quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart and former Florida starting quarterback Will Grier scheduled to become eligible to play for the Mountaineers in 2017, it appeared unlikely Sills would ever get an opportunity to play quarterback at West Virginia.[31][32]

    El Camino College

    On June 23, 2016, Sills announced he would transfer to El Camino College.[33] He spent seven months on the couch of high school friend Khaliel Rodgers who was on the USC roster as an offensive lineman at the time.[4] In his lone season playing for the Warriors, Sills played quarterback and threw for 1,636 yards and 15 touchdowns.[34]

    Return to West Virginia

    On December 15, 2016, West Virginia football announced on Twitter that Sills would be returning to West Virginia.[35] In West Virginia's 2017 spring game, Sills lined up at wide receiver and caught six passes for 98 yards from Will Grier.[34] In the September 3 season opener for the 2017 West Virginia Mountaineers against the 21st-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies Sills posted nine receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort against the Hokies.[36] On September 9, Sills posted seven catches for a career-high 153 yards and a career-high three touchdowns against East Carolina.[37] He then tallied 130 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas on September 23.[38] Following the Kansas game and a bye week Sills was tied for the national lead in touchdown receptions with seven in his first four games and then he added two touchdown receptions on October 7 against TCU, bringing his total to nine.[39] Sills added three more touchdown receptions on October 14 against Texas Tech extending his national lead.[40] Sills' three receiving touchdowns on October 21 in a 38–36 victory over Baylor gave sills a total of 15 for the season, which continued to lead the nation.[41] Sills made his 17th and 18th touchdown catches of the season on November 11 against Kansas State.[42] However, in the following game, starting quarterback Grier was lost for the season, and Sills finished the season with 18 touchdowns.[43]

    As a junior, Sills received numerous honors. On November 13, he was one of three 2017 Big 12 Conference football wide receivers named as a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award (along with James Washington and Keke Coutee).[44] A week later he was named as one of three finalists for the award (along with Washington and Michael Gallup).[45] On November 30, Sills was the only member of the 2017 West Virginia Mountaineers football team named to the 2017 All-Big 12 Conference football first team.[46][47] Sills finished the season as the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision touchdown receptions leader with 18 (tied with Anthony Miller).[48] Sills earned 2017 College Football All-America Team first team recognition from Sports Illustrated, Sporting News and CBS Sports.[49][50][51] Sills also earned several second-team All-American honors, including Associated Press,[52] Walter Camp Football Foundation,[53] SB Nation,[54] College Football News,[55] and American Football Coaches Association.[56] Sills decided to return to play his senior season with Grier.[43]

    Sills entered the season on watchlists for the Maxwell Award,[57] Fred Biletnikoff Award,[58] and Walter Camp Award.[59] With Grier back for their senior seasons, Sills opened up the season with a seven-catch, 140-yard, two-touchdown effort in a victory over Tennessee.[60] The Mountaineers schedule was cut short one game when Hurricane Florence caused a cancellation of the September 15 game at NC State.[61] On September 22, Sills tallied three touchdowns against Kansas State.[62][62] Sills also had 2-touchdown performances against Baylor (139 yards) on October 25, Texas on November 3, and Oklahoma (131 yards) on November 23.[63][64][65] Sills' 15 touchdowns led the Big 12.[66] Following the season, he was a 2018 All-Big 12 Conference football team first team selection.[67] Sills earned 2018 College Football All-America Team second team recognition by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and , American Football Coaches Association.[68][69] He earned third team recognition from the Associated Press.[70]

    Professional career
    Pre-draft measurables
    Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
    6 ft 3 in
    (1.91 m)    		 211 lb
    (96 kg)    		 32 in
    (0.81 m)    		 9 in
    (0.23 m)    		 4.57 s 6.97 s 37.5 in
    (0.95 m)    		 9 ft 9 in
    (2.97 m)    		 14 reps
    All values from NFL Combine[71]

    Buffalo Bills

    Sills signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019.[72][73] He was waived by the Bills on August 31, 2019.[74]

    New York Giants

    On September 1, 2019, Sills was signed to the New York Giants practice squad.[75] On December 17, 2019, Sills was promoted to the active roster.[76] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Giants on July 28, 2020,[77] and activated from the list seven days later.[78]

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    See also

    Notes
    1. Johnson, Chris (July 22, 2015). "Five years after committing to USC, David Sills finally becomes college QB". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
    2. White, Dustin (February 4, 2015). "QB David Sills Is Officially A West Virginia Mountaineer". The Smoking Musket. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
    3. Markazi, Arash (February 6, 2010). "Sills: USC is 'dream school'". ESPN. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    4. Trotter, Jake (October 6, 2017). "From seventh-grade phenom to failed QB to elite receiver". ESPN. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
    5. Dodd, Dennis (February 13, 2009). "Twelve-year-old QB's ascent toward NCAA already under way". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    6. Venezia, Todd (February 6, 2010). "QB commits to USC . . . and he's only 13". New York Post. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    7. Staples, Andy (February 5, 2010). "USC stands to gain much more than one QB from offering 13-year-old". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    8. Helin, Kurt (February 5, 2010). "13-Year-Old Quarterback Commits to USC: By the time David Sills arrives on campus, everyone from Wednesday's recruiting class will have left USC". NBC. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    9. Klein, Gary (February 5, 2010). "Trojans get their first commitment ... for 2015". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    10. "Report: 13-year-old QB commits to USC". United Press International. February 6, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    11. Saxon, Mark (February 5, 2010). "I want to laugh, then take a shower". ESPN. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    12. Sondheimer, Eric (February 4, 2010). "Football: 13-year-old QB commits to USC". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    13. Markazi, Arash (September 29, 2007). "The future is now: Pre-teen prodigy at quarterback growing up fast". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    14. Levinson, Mason (June 22, 2007). "Quarterback Camp Lures Kids With $1,400 Lessons, Joe Montana". Bloomberg News. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
    15. Sondheimer, Eric (March 21, 2011). "USC football: 14-year-old quarterback David Sills looking forward to spring practice". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
    16. Buzby, Jon (January 7, 2012). "David Sills named to All-American team". Newark Post. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
    17. Spiewak, Stephen (January 6, 2012). "MaxPreps 2011 U.S. Air Force Freshman All-American Football Teams". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
    18. Jenkins, Lee (August 23, 2012). "Eastern Christian Academy is H.S. football's first virtual powerhouse". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
    19. Cook, Bob (September 25, 2012). "Long Island Vengeance Denied: How Not To Spend Money On Your Child's Sports Career". Forbes. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
    20. "Eastern Christian Game Cancelled By West Catholic Due to Sanctioning Worries". Retrieved March 29, 2013.
    21. "Eastern Christian Football Schedule". Retrieved March 29, 2013.
    22. Dohn, Brian (July 16, 2013). "With WVU Commitment, Sills Trying To Shed Title Of 7th-Grade USC Commit". FOX Sports. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
    23. "Twitter/DS5_:Committed..." Twitter. July 16, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
    24. Bromberg, Nick (February 4, 2015). "One-time middle school USC commit David Sills signs with West Virginia". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
    25. Trotter, Jake (April 19, 2015). "Dana Holgorsen: Skyler Howard is West Virginia's 'clear-cut' No. 1 QB". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
    26. Barnhouse, Wendell (May 18, 2015). "2015 Spring Football Review: West Virginia". Big12Sports.com. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
    27. Chatmon, Brandon (November 25, 2015). "Q&A: West Virginia QB Skyler Howard rebounds from winless October". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
    28. Olson, Max (October 20, 2015). "West Virginia QB David Sills showing skills at WR". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
    29. Vanderwijst, Kelsie (October 17, 2015). "QB David Sills Makes Huge Plays at Wide Receiver". Blue Gold Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
    30. Chatmon, Brandon (June 23, 2016). "David Sills transfers from West Virginia to chase QB dream". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
    31. Miller, Michael (April 23, 2016). "West Virginia's Offense Fights Back To Win Annual Gold-Blue Spring Game". The Smoking Musket. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
    32. Casazza, Mike (June 23, 2016). "David Sills leaves WVU football program". West Virginia Gazette-Mail. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
    33. Stephens, Mitch (June 23, 2016). "Quarterback prodigy David Sills transferring from West Virginia to California JC". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
    34. Sherman, Mitch (April 17, 2017). "West Virginia spring game: David Sills stars in return to wide receiver". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
    35. Taylor, John (December 15, 2016). "Country roads, take him home? David Sills back at WVU". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
    36. "No. 21 Virginia Tech beats No. 22 West Virginia 31-24". ESPN. Associated Press. September 3, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
    37. "Grier throws 5 TDs, West Virginia thumps East Carolina 56-20". ESPN. Associated Press. September 9, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
    38. "Grier, Crawford help West Virginia put away Kansas, 56-34". ESPN. Associated Press. September 23, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
    39. "Hill scores 3 ways as No. 8 TCU beats No. 23 West Virginia". ESPN. Associated Press. October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
    40. "Grier throws for 5 TDs, West Virginia beats Texas Tech 46-35". ESPN. Associated Press. October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
    41. "No. 23 West Virginia survives at Baylor, 38-36". ESPN. Associated Press. October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
    42. Kercheval, Ben (November 11, 2017). "Catch of the year? WVU's David Sills barely drags toe on mind-boggling diving TD". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    43. "High hopes for West Virginia in 2018 with Will Grier, David Sills returning". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Associated Press. December 27, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    44. "Three Big 12 WRs Named Biletnikoff Semifinalists". Big12Sports.com. November 13, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
    45. "David Sills Named Biletnikoff Award Finalist". 247Sports.com. November 20, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
    46. "2017 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced" (PDF). Big12Sports.com. November 30, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
    47. "Sills becomes West Virginia's only All-Big 12 first-team selection". WVMetroNews.com. November 30, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
    48. Taylor, John (November 12, 2017). "One-time USC QB commit David Sills now has FBS-leading 18 TD catches for West Virginia". CollegeFootballTalk | NBC Sports. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
    49. Silverstein, Adam (December 12, 2017). "2017 CBS Sports All-America team: College football's best and brightest: Led by Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, the Big 12 finished with seven first-team selections". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    50. Bender, Bill (December 12, 2017). "Sporting News 2017 college football All-Americans". Sporting News. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    51. "SI's 2017 All-America Teams". Sports Illustrated. December 7, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    52. Taylor, Allan (December 11, 2017). "AP names David Sills 2nd-team All-American". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    53. McGalliard, Grant (December 7, 2017). "David Sills V named Walter Camp Second Team All-American". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    54. Kirk, Jason (December 6, 2017). "College football's first All-America Team for 2017 is here: SB Nation releases the first major-outlet postseason All-America Team of 2017, also likely the only one to incorporate a fan vote". SB Nation. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    55. McGalliard, Grant (December 8, 2017). "2017 CollegeFootballNews.com All-America Team: Offense". College Football News. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    56. Thompson, Vince (December 13, 2017). "Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield And Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick Headline The 2017 AFCA FBS Coaches' All-America Teams" (PDF). Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    57. "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
    58. "2018 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
    59. Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
    60. "Grier leads No. 17 West Virginia past Tennessee 40-14". ESPN. Associated Press. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
    61. Green, Arne (September 17, 2018). "Kansas State notebook: West Virginia makes best of bye week". Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
    62. "Grier throws 5 TDs, No. 12 WVU rocks Kansas State 35-6". ESPN. Associated Press. September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
    63. "No. 13 WVU uses 31-point second quarter to beat Baylor 58-14". ESPN. Associated Press. October 25, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
    64. "Grier 2-point conversion run sends West Virginia over Texas". ESPN. Associated Press. November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
    65. "Slugfest: No. 6 Oklahoma outlasts No. 12 WVU 59-56". ESPN. Associated Press. November 24, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
    66. "2018 Big 12 Conference: Individual Statistics Through games of Nov 28, 2018" (PDF). Big12Sports.com. November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
    67. "2018 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced" (PDF). Big12Sports.com. November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
    68. Carbone, Al (December 6, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 All-America First and Second Teams". Walter Camp Football Foundation. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
    69. "Alabama's Tua Tagovalioa & Clemson's Christian Wilkins Headline 2018 FBS Coaches' All-America Teams". American Football Coaches Association. December 12, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
    70. Russo, Ralph D. (December 10, 2018). "AP All-America team: Tide leads with 4 of 10 CFP players". Associated Press. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
    71. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/david-sills?id=32195349-4c60-5330-c2c5-9ad2afcb2da9. Retrieved March 26, 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
    72. Conway, Tyler (April 27, 2019). "David Sills Signs with Bills as UDFA After Not Being Picked in 2019 NFL Draft". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
    73. Brown, Chris (May 9, 2019). "Get a closer look at the Bills eight undrafted free agent signings". BuffaloBills.com.
    74. Brown, Chris (August 31, 2019). "Bills cut roster down to 53 players". BuffaloBills.com.
    75. "Former child prodigy David Sills will sign to Giants' practice squad". Giants Wire. September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
    76. Eisen, Michael. "Giants place TE Evan Engram on injured reserve". Retrieved December 17, 2019.
    77. Eisen, Michael (July 28, 2020). "Giants claim CB Shakial Taylor off waivers". Giants.com. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
    78. Eisen, Michael (August 4, 2020). "Markus Golden re-signs with Giants; led team in sacks in 2019". Giants.com. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
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