MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — If this were a typical NFL offseason, former West Virginia offensive lineman Colton McKivitz would already have a couple practices as a professional in the books.
With teams unable to have in-person workouts due to the pandemic, McKivitz hasn’t yet hit the field with his new San Francisco 49ers teammates and coaches.
“(Friday) would have been my first practice but instead I had a 40-minute instruction meeting with the offensive line coach (John Benton) and it has just been nonstop with phone calls and meetings. But it is pretty fun,” McKivitz said.
“It is a different ball game for sure. I finally got my iPad and playbook the other day and I was kind of diving into that. It is definitely a lot more involved than what I am used to and what college players are used to.”
After finishing up his fall semester, McKivitz headed to Chandler, Az. to train for the NFL Draft. He was selected in the fifth round with the 153rd pick. San Francisco was not a team that had frequent conversations with him leading up to the draft.
“Pre-draft I only had one phone number in my contacts from the 49ers. It was a scout and I had no idea that they were that interested and wanting to take me when they did. I thought I was going to Pittsburgh, Buffalo or maybe Cleveland. But it is always the one you don’t hear about that is going to take you.
“I guess they fell in love with what they saw on tape and got an idea of what I am like in person and maybe that is what did it.”
McKivitz joins a San Francisco team that owned the top rushing offense in the NFC last year (144.1 yards per game).
“It is a wide-zone oriented offense. So for me that fits into what we did this year a lot with outside zone. And just being able to drive wide and on your angle is something I thought I do pretty well. Just being an overall nasty player is what a lot of teams look for and I think they just wanted to add that to their group.”
Playing both tackle spots throughout his career at WVU, McKivitz will now be expected to slide inside to guard.
“The plan is to move inside now and be a swing guy outside. It will be a battle for one of the inside spots.
“I got a little taste of it at the Senior Bowl and the Oklahoma game two years ago. So I have played it a little bit and hopefully it will be a good smooth transition.”
The 49ers are the odds on favorite by several online betting services to repeat as NFC champions despite competing in the West division that is likely the strongest in the league.
“You always hear stories of guys ending up on bad teams but to end up on the team that probably should have won the Super Bowl or had a chance to win it at the end — to get on a team like that expects to win it is a wonderful opportunity.
“It is still surreal that it is not just for fun anymore. It is your job and it is a business. But at the same time, you love the sport you grew up playing.”
The Great Outdoors
McKivitz grew up as an avid hunter in and around his hometown of Jacobsburg, Oh. Training in Arizona, McKivitz has shifted his recreational focus.
“Fishing-wise there is plenty to catch. So we enjoy that. A couple of my buddies here training with me always go.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries resources, new challenges could await in Northern California.
“With salt water life, maybe there is a great white. I have been playing with that idea. For research purposes of course.”