How Former Mountaineers Fared in Week 17 of the NFL Season
As the NFL regular season barrels toward its finale, a handful of former West Virginia Mountaineers continue to make their presence felt across the league. Nine WVU alums were active on 53-man rosters in Week 17, and while the results were mixed, several players turned in notable performances-some quietly steady, others flashing in big moments. Let’s break down how each of them contributed this past weekend.
Dante Stills, DE - Arizona Cardinals
In a tough outing for the Cardinals, Dante Stills saw 34 defensive snaps during a blowout loss to the Bengals. He managed to tally four total tackles and registered one quarterback pressure.
His Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade for the game came in at 57.8, and while his season-long grade has dipped to 45.6 over 521 snaps, he continues to gain valuable reps in his rookie campaign. The production hasn’t always popped off the stat sheet, but Stills is getting crucial experience up front.
David Sills V, WR - Atlanta Falcons
David Sills V made the most of his opportunities on Monday Night Football, stepping in off the bench and catching 3 of his 4 targets for 37 yards in the Falcons’ win over the Rams. He posted a season-high 83.7 PFF grade, a strong showing for a player fighting to carve out a role in Atlanta’s passing attack. Sills has always had reliable hands, and he showed that again in primetime.
Rex Sunahara, LS - Cleveland Browns
Sunahara continues to hold down the long snapping duties for the Browns. He was on the field for 7 special teams snaps in Cleveland’s upset win over the Steelers. It’s the kind of job where no news is good news-and Sunahara has been quietly consistent.
Austin Brinkman, LS - Houston Texans
Brinkman remains the Texans’ go-to long snapper and logged 9 snaps in Houston’s latest outing. Like Sunahara, his role is often overlooked unless something goes wrong-which, in his case, it hasn’t.
Wyatt Milum, OL - Jacksonville Jaguars
Milum saw limited action this week, logging 4 snaps on offense at right guard while continuing to contribute on special teams. The rookie lineman is still being eased into the rotation, but every snap counts as he adjusts to the pro level.
Geno Smith, QB - Las Vegas Raiders
It was a mixed bag for Geno Smith, who completed 20 of 28 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders’ loss to the Giants. He also threw two interceptions and finished with a 51.7 PFF grade. Smith has had his ups and downs this season, and Week 17 was a snapshot of both sides-efficient stretches punctuated by costly mistakes.
Rasul Douglas, CB - Miami Dolphins
Douglas continues to be a steady presence in Miami’s secondary. He played 67 snaps in the Dolphins’ win over Tampa Bay, collecting four tackles (including one solo) and breaking up a pass.
He allowed just two receptions on six targets for 35 yards-a strong showing in coverage that helped Miami clamp down late. Douglas has quietly become one of the more dependable corners in the league this season.
Zach Frazier, OL - Pittsburgh Steelers
The rookie center got the start again for Pittsburgh in a tough loss to the Browns. Frazier was on the field for all 66 offensive snaps, allowing one quarterback hit and earning a 53.6 PFF grade. It wasn’t his cleanest game, but he continues to battle in the trenches for a Steelers team still finding its identity on offense.
Colton McKivitz, OL - San Francisco 49ers
McKivitz turned in one of the best performances of the week among former Mountaineers. Starting at right tackle for the 49ers, he played all 72 offensive snaps in a high-scoring win over the Bears.
He didn’t allow a single pressure on quarterback Brock Purdy and finished with a strong 77.5 PFF grade, including an elite 84.5 in pass protection. McKivitz has been a rock on the edge for a 49ers offense that’s humming heading into the playoffs.
Final Thoughts
From rookies cutting their teeth to veterans holding down starting roles, Week 17 showcased a wide range of contributions from WVU alumni. Whether it was Sills flashing in the passing game, Douglas locking down his side of the field, or McKivitz anchoring the right side of one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, the Mountaineers are making their mark as the season winds down. With one week left in the regular season, all eyes turn to how these players finish-and for some, whether they’ll be part of a playoff run.