MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Two of the top offensive linemen in the country are playing at West Virginia this fall.
Senior left tackle Colton McKivitz and junior right guard Josh Sills both appear on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is annually awarded to the top interior lineman in college football. Hearkening back to the days of two-way players, both offensive and defensive linemen are eligible for the award.
McKivitz is entering his final season at West Virginia as one of the team’s undisputed leaders. He is making the move from right tackle to left tackle in place of Yodny Cajuste, a third-round draft pick of the New England Patriots. McKivitz has started 35 consecutive games for the Mountaineers and was West Virginia’s lone representative on the preseason all-Big 12 team.
Sills was named second team all-Big 12 as a sophomore last season. He has 22 starts in his two-year career.
McKivitz and Sills will be pivotal parts for an otherwise inexperienced West Virginia offensive line this season. The other three starting offensive linemen will have a combined six career starts.
The Outland watch list includes 32 offensive tackles, 19 defensive tackles, 18 guards and 14 centers. Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams won the award last season before being drafted by the New York Jets.
The Big Ten and SEC lead the way with 13 candidates each. The Big 12 and Pac-12 are just behind with 12 apiece, followed by the ACC with 10.There are also candidates representing the American Athletic (6), Independents and Mountain West (4 each), and Conference USA, Mid-American and Sun Belt (3 each).