You can’t argue with the fact that Lane Kiffin definitely knows talent when he sees it. Just ask West Virginia football’s David Sills V.
Lane Kiffin, the current head coach at Florida Atlantic, first spotted David Sills V back in 2010 when he was at Southern Cal. Sills, a seventh-grader, impressed Kiffin so much that he offered him a scholarship to play for the Trojans.
Sills hadn’t even started a high school football game yet and Kiffin knew there was something special about him.
Well, the story changed courses several times over the next few years. Kiffin was fired by USC, Sills decommitted from the school himself and he even ended up playing for a high school his day “created” in Delaware.
That’s not to say Sills didn’t have a standout prep career, as he did. He was ranked among the Top-20 quarterbacks in the nation by several outlets and decided on West Virginia to continue his football career.
He joined the team in 2015 and competed against Skyler Howard, William Crest Jr. and others for the starting job. Howard was named the starter and Sills shifted over to wide receiver to help the Mountaineers out, recording seven receptions for 131 yards, including the game-winner in a 2016 Cactus Bowl win over Arizona State.
Unable to gain the quarterback job the following year again, and Will Grier having announced plans to transfer in from Florida, Sills departed Morgantown for El Camino College. He started there under center before Dana Holgorsen called him back up and asked if he wanted to return for another go at the wide receiver position.
Sills is now one of the leading receivers in the Big 12 and the nation, having caught 15 touchdown passes from Grier. He has 46 receptions on the year and 737 yards, including four 100-yard games.
That talent Kiffin saw seven years ago was on display in the season opener, as Sills caught nine passes for 94 yards and two scores vs. Virginia Tech. He followed that up with his best game to date the following week, hauling in seven passes for 153 yards and three scores, including a 75-yarder.
Three of his last four games have resulted in triple digits in receiving yards and eight scores, with three touchdowns each coming in wins over Texaas Tech and Baylor.
Sills might not be up for the top quarterback awards, but there is no denying he is one of the leading receivers in the country and a possible darkhorse candidate to garner votes in the Heisman if West Virginia can navigate through the remainder of its schedule and capture a league title.
Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: First round after Week 8
The junior ranks first in the nation in receiving touchdowns and 10th in yards. Not bad for a former prized quarterback recruit who had to spend a year at community college to realize his potential.