David Sills (American football) explained
David Sills V (born May 29, 1996) is an American football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos 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.
Early years
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]
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.[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 Sillses 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.
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.[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. 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. 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] 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
Buffalo Bills
Sills signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019.[71] [72] He was waived by the Bills on August 31, 2019.[73]
New York Giants
On September 1, 2019, Sills was signed to the practice squad of the New York Giants.[74] On December 17, 2019, Sills was promoted to the active roster.[75] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Giants on July 28, 2020,[76] and activated from the list seven days later.[77] On September 4, 2020, Sills was placed on the injured reserve list after fracturing his foot during training camp.[78] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 30, 2020,[79] and moved back to injured reserve on January 7, 2021.[80] He signed a contract extension with the team on January 7 thru the 2021 season.
On August 31, 2021, Sills was waived by the Giants and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[81] [82] On October 23, 2021, Sills was signed to the active roster.[83] He was waived on October 26, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad.[84] On January 8, 2022, Sills was promoted to the active roster.
On March 11, 2022, Sills re-signed with the Giants.[85]
He surpassed 100 career receiving yards in Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he recorded a 19-yard reception that increased his career total from 99 to 118 receiving yards. He was released on December 31, 2022.[86] He re-signed with the team’s practice squad on January 3, 2023.[87] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 26, 2023.[88] He was waived as part of final roster cuts on August 29, 2023.[89]
Denver Broncos
On August 31, 2023, Sills was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad.[90] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.[91]
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Johnson . Chris . July 22, 2015 . Five years after committing to USC, David Sills finally becomes college QB . June 24, 2016 . Sports Illustrated.
- Web site: White . Dustin . February 4, 2015 . QB David Sills Is Officially A West Virginia Mountaineer . June 24, 2016 . The Smoking Musket.
- Web site: Markazi, Arash . February 6, 2010 . Sills: USC is 'dream school' . February 7, 2010 . ESPN.
- Web site: Trotter, Jake . October 6, 2017 . From seventh-grade phenom to failed QB to elite receiver . January 26, 2018 . ESPN.
- Web site: Dodd, Dennis . February 13, 2009 . Twelve-year-old QB's ascent toward NCAA already under way . https://web.archive.org/web/20121011212704/http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/11375455 . October 11, 2012 . February 7, 2010 . CBS Sports.
- Web site: Venezia, Todd . February 6, 2010 . QB commits to USC . . . and he's only 13 . February 7, 2010 . New York Post.
- Staples, Andy . February 5, 2010 . USC stands to gain much more than one QB from offering 13-year-old . February 7, 2010 . Sports Illustrated.
- Web site: 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. . February 7, 2010 . NBC.
- Web site: Klein, Gary . February 5, 2010 . Trojans get their first commitment ... for 2015 . February 7, 2010 . Los Angeles Times.
- Web site: February 6, 2010 . Report: 13-year-old QB commits to USC . February 7, 2010 . United Press International.
- Web site: Saxon, Mark . February 5, 2010 . I want to laugh, then take a shower . February 7, 2010 . ESPN.
- Web site: Sondheimer, Eric . February 4, 2010 . Football: 13-year-old QB commits to USC . February 7, 2010 . Los Angeles Times.
- Markazi, Arash . September 29, 2007 . The future is now: Pre-teen prodigy at quarterback growing up fast . February 7, 2010 . Sports Illustrated.
- Web site: Levinson, Mason . June 22, 2007 . Quarterback Camp Lures Kids With $1,400 Lessons, Joe Montana . February 7, 2010 . Bloomberg News.
- Web site: Sondheimer, Eric . March 21, 2011 . USC football: 14-year-old quarterback David Sills looking forward to spring practice . June 3, 2011 . Los Angeles Times.
- Web site: Buzby, Jon . January 7, 2012 . David Sills named to All-American team . July 23, 2012 . Newark Post.
- Web site: Spiewak, Stephen . January 6, 2012 . MaxPreps 2011 U.S. Air Force Freshman All-American Football Teams . July 23, 2012 . MaxPreps.com.
- Jenkins, Lee . August 23, 2012 . Eastern Christian Academy is H.S. football's first virtual powerhouse . September 28, 2012 . Sports Illustrated.
- Web site: Cook, Bob . September 25, 2012 . Long Island Vengeance Denied: How Not To Spend Money On Your Child's Sports Career . September 28, 2012 . Forbes.
- Web site: Eastern Christian Game Cancelled By West Catholic Due to Sanctioning Worries . March 29, 2013.
- Web site: Eastern Christian Football Schedule . March 29, 2013.
- Web site: Dohn, Brian . July 16, 2013 . With WVU Commitment, Sills Trying To Shed Title Of 7th-Grade USC Commit . July 17, 2014 . FOX Sports.
- Web site: July 16, 2013 . Twitter/DS5_:Committed... . July 16, 2014 . Twitter.
- Web site: Bromberg . Nick . February 4, 2015 . One-time middle school USC commit David Sills signs with West Virginia . June 25, 2016 . Yahoo Sports.
- Web site: Trotter . Jake . April 19, 2015 . Dana Holgorsen: Skyler Howard is West Virginia's 'clear-cut' No. 1 QB . June 25, 2016 . ESPN.com.
- Web site: Barnhouse . Wendell . May 18, 2015 . 2015 Spring Football Review: West Virginia . June 25, 2016 . Big12Sports.com.
- Web site: Chatmon . Brandon . November 25, 2015 . Q&A: West Virginia QB Skyler Howard rebounds from winless October . June 25, 2016 . ESPN.com.
- Web site: Olson . Max . October 20, 2015 . West Virginia QB David Sills showing skills at WR . June 27, 2016 . ESPN.com.
- Web site: Vanderwijst . Kelsie . October 17, 2015 . QB David Sills Makes Huge Plays at Wide Receiver . https://web.archive.org/web/20151018082703/http://www.bluegoldsports.com/qb-david-sills-makes-huge-plays-at-wide-receiver/ . dead . October 18, 2015 . June 27, 2016 . Blue Gold Sports .
- Web site: Chatmon, Brandon . June 23, 2016 . David Sills transfers from West Virginia to chase QB dream . June 29, 2016 . ESPN.com.
- Web site: Miller . Michael . April 23, 2016 . West Virginia's Offense Fights Back To Win Annual Gold-Blue Spring Game . June 29, 2016 . The Smoking Musket.
- Web site: Casazza, Mike . June 23, 2016 . David Sills leaves WVU football program . June 29, 2016 . West Virginia Gazette-Mail.
- Web site: Stephens . Mitch . June 23, 2016 . Quarterback prodigy David Sills transferring from West Virginia to California JC . June 24, 2016 . MaxPreps.com.
- Web site: Sherman . Mitch . April 17, 2017 . West Virginia spring game: David Sills stars in return to wide receiver . June 29, 2017 . ESPN.com.
- Web site: Taylor, John . December 15, 2016 . Country roads, take him home? David Sills back at WVU . December 29, 2016 . NBC Sports.
- Web site: September 3, 2017 . No. 21 Virginia Tech beats No. 22 West Virginia 31-24 . September 4, 2017 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: September 9, 2017 . Grier throws 5 TDs, West Virginia thumps East Carolina 56-20 . September 28, 2017 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: September 23, 2017 . Grier, Crawford help West Virginia put away Kansas, 56-34 . September 28, 2017 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: October 7, 2017 . Hill scores 3 ways as No. 8 TCU beats No. 23 West Virginia . October 28, 2017 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: October 14, 2017 . Grier throws for 5 TDs, West Virginia beats Texas Tech 46-35 . October 28, 2017 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: October 22, 2017 . No. 23 West Virginia survives at Baylor, 38-36 . October 27, 2017 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: Kercheval, Ben . November 11, 2017 . Catch of the year? WVU's David Sills barely drags toe on mind-boggling diving TD . January 2, 2018 . CBS Sports.
- Web site: December 27, 2017 . High hopes for West Virginia in 2018 with Will Grier, David Sills returning . January 2, 2018 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: November 13, 2017 . Three Big 12 WRs Named Biletnikoff Semifinalists . December 5, 2017 . Big12Sports.com.
- Web site: November 20, 2017 . David Sills Named Biletnikoff Award Finalist . December 5, 2017 . 247Sports.com.
- Web site: November 30, 2017 . 2017 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced . December 5, 2017 . Big12Sports.com.
- Web site: November 30, 2017 . Sills becomes West Virginia's only All-Big 12 first-team selection . December 5, 2017 . WVMetroNews.com.
- Web site: Taylor . John . November 12, 2017 . One-time USC QB commit David Sills now has FBS-leading 18 TD catches for West Virginia . March 27, 2020 . CollegeFootballTalk NBC Sports . en-US.
- Web site: 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 . January 2, 2018 . CBS Sports.
- Web site: Bender, Bill . December 12, 2017 . Sporting News 2017 college football All-Americans . January 2, 2018 . Sporting News.
- December 7, 2017 . SI's 2017 All-America Teams . January 2, 2018 . Sports Illustrated.
- Web site: Taylor, Allan . December 11, 2017 . AP names David Sills 2nd-team All-American . January 2, 2018 . West Virginia MetroNews.
- Web site: McGalliard, Grant . December 7, 2017 . David Sills V named Walter Camp Second Team All-American . https://web.archive.org/web/20180103133426/http://www.ajc.com/sports/college/david-sills-named-walter-camp-second-team-all-american/8nafTlcFfs7qikSuga3FxN/ . dead . January 3, 2018 . January 2, 2018 . .
- Web site: 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. . January 2, 2018 . SB Nation.
- Web site: McGalliard, Grant . December 8, 2017 . 2017 CollegeFootballNews.com All-America Team: Offense . January 2, 2018 . College Football News.
- Web site: Thompson, Vince . December 13, 2017 . Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield And Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick Headline The 2017 AFCA FBS Coaches' All-America Teams . https://web.archive.org/web/20180618021000/https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/washington.sidearmsports.com/documents/2017/12/12/2017_AFCA_FBS_AA_Release.pdf . dead . June 18, 2018 . January 2, 2018 .
- Web site: July 16, 2018 . 2018 Maxwell Award Watch List . July 17, 2018.
- Web site: July 19, 2018 . 2018 Biletnikoff Award Watch List . July 19, 2018.
- Web site: Carbone . Al . July 27, 2018 . Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List" . July 30, 2018.
- Web site: September 1, 2018 . Grier leads No. 17 West Virginia past Tennessee 40-14 . September 4, 2018 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: Green, Arne . September 17, 2018 . Kansas State notebook: West Virginia makes best of bye week . September 24, 2018 . Topeka Capital-Journal.
- Web site: September 22, 2018 . Grier throws 5 TDs, No. 12 WVU rocks Kansas State 35-6 . September 24, 2018 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: October 25, 2018 . No. 13 WVU uses 31-point second quarter to beat Baylor 58-14 . November 14, 2018 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: November 3, 2018 . Grier 2-point conversion run sends West Virginia over Texas . November 14, 2018 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: November 24, 2018 . Slugfest: No. 6 Oklahoma outlasts No. 12 WVU 59-56 . November 30, 2018 . . Associated Press.
- Web site: November 28, 2018 . 2018 Big 12 Conference: Individual Statistics Through games of Nov 28, 2018 . November 30, 2018 . Big12Sports.com.
- Web site: November 28, 2018 . 2018 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced . November 30, 2018 . Big12Sports.com.
- Web site: Carbone . Al . December 6, 2018 . Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 All-America First and Second Teams . December 7, 2018 . Walter Camp Football Foundation.
- Web site: December 12, 2018 . Alabama's Tua Tagovalioa & Clemson's Christian Wilkins Headline 2018 FBS Coaches' All-America Teams . December 12, 2018 . American Football Coaches Association.
- Web site: Russo . Ralph D. . December 10, 2018 . AP All-America team: Tide leads with 4 of 10 CFP players . December 11, 2018 . Associated Press.
- Web site: Conway . Tyler . April 27, 2019 . David Sills Signs with Bills as UDFA After Not Being Picked in 2019 NFL Draft . April 28, 2019 . Bleacher Report.
- Web site: Brown . Chris . May 9, 2019 . Get a closer look at the Bills eight undrafted free agent signings . BuffaloBills.com.
- Web site: Brown, Chris . August 31, 2019 . Bills cut roster down to 53 players . BuffaloBills.com.
- Web site: September 2, 2019 . Former child prodigy David Sills will sign to Giants' practice squad . September 3, 2019 . Giants Wire . en.
- Web site: Eisen . Michael . Giants place TE Evan Engram on injured reserve . December 17, 2019.
- News: Eisen, Michael . July 28, 2020 . Giants claim CB Shakial Taylor off waivers . Giants.com . July 29, 2020.
- News: Eisen, Michael . August 4, 2020 . Markus Golden re-signs with Giants; led team in sacks in 2019 . Giants.com . August 4, 2020.
- Web site: Eisen, Michael . September 4, 2020 . Logan Ryan officially signed, could fill variety of roles in secondary . Giants.com.
- News: Eisen, Michael . December 30, 2020 . Giants' offense looks for spark vs. Cowboys . Giants.com . February 11, 2021.
- 1347309472528609282 . Dan_Salomone . Roster Updates: Waived from Reserve/Injured RB Devonta Freeman Signed, Renegotiated Contract (Exclusive Rights) WR David Sills *Note: Sills was activated from Reserve/Covid and remains on Reserve/Injured. . January 7, 2021 . February 11, 2021.
- Web site: Eisen, Michael . September 1, 2021 . New York Giants announce 53-man roster . Giants.com.
- Web site: Eisen, Michael . September 1, 2021 . Giants establish practice squad amid roster moves . Giants.com.
- Web site: Eisen, Michael . October 23, 2021 . LB Benardrick McKinney, DT David Moa activated; WR David Sills signed from practice squad . Giants.com.
- Web site: Alper, Josh . October 26, 2021 . Giants put Jabrill Peppers on IR, waive Josh Jackson and David Sills . NBCSports.com.
- Web site: Eisen . Michael . March 11, 2022 . Giants sign OL Matt Gono; TE Kaden Smith waived . January 29, 2023 . Giants.com.
- Web site: Eisen . Michael . December 31, 2022 . Giants activate Xavier McKinney among series of roster moves . January 29, 2023 . Giants.com.
- Web site: David Sills: Returns to New York .
- Web site: Giants Sign WR David Sills & DB Terrell Burgess to Futures Deals . January 26, 2023 .
- Web site: David Sills: Gets let go . August 29, 2023 .
- Web site: Broncos sign three players to practice squad. DiLalla, Aric. DenverBroncos.com. August 31, 2023.
- Web site: Broncos sign 12 players to future contracts. DiLalla, Aric. DenverBroncos.com. January 8, 2024.