— Story by Taylor Kennedy
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Former West Virginia offensive lineman Colton McKivitz is back home following his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Jacobsburg, Ohio native was a fifth-round pick and drafted 153rd overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. McKivitz says that his first season in the pros was unlike anything he had ever experienced. McKivitz was a guest on the Wednesday edition of Citynet Statewide Sportsline.
“It was wild, thrilling, and confusing. It is everything you wanted it to be as a rookie year, except for the uncertainty of playing or not playing that week because of COVID. It was amazing to finally reach the top and get to play against one of the best defensive players to ever play. To come in like that and get a few starts and test the waters out, it will hopefully be a long lasting career. I am excited for what is coming for me,” said McKivitz.
.@CMcKivitz talks with @TonyCaridi, @BradHowe07, and @HunterWvu88bgn about his thoughts on how his rookie season went with the @49ers. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nDJuy pic.twitter.com/cKTpo7DgFF
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) January 20, 2021
When collegiate players transition from college to the professional scale it can affect them in a variety of ways. McKivitz says that the transition to the NFL was more mental than anything.
“Of course, you are going to have the bigger guys and everyone who deserves to be there as a pro athlete. The mental aspect of showing up everyday, in college you could get away with stuff, like walking through things or just getting by. In the NFL, you get exposed pretty quickly and you learn fast. Everyday you have to come mentally prepared at the highest level you can,” said McKivitz.
Along with the transition, first-time professional athletes have those “woah” moments when they first realize they are in the big leagues. McKivitz says that he had that moment early on with the 49ers.
“I think it was camp practice in the second week. I got thrown around for one play, and I was like ‘man, this is what the NFL is.’ That was probably one of the not-so-great moments, but it was definitely an eye opening one,” said McKivitz.
McKivitz appeared in 14 games for the 49ers, including starting in three of the last five games. His first start came against one of the NFL’s best defenses in the Los Angeles Rams and Aaron Donald. McKivitz says that he was happy Donald was on the other side of the line on the first snap.
“First play of the game was great. He was on the other side, and I did not have to worry about him [laughs]. It was actually a pass play. It was a regular five-step drop. We had to slide working our way, and they went into a five man front so we had to go man. I am one-on-one with Donald, and luckily we got the ball out quick. He had a nice first step, and I was able to get a good punch on him and keep him away,” said McKivitz.
Donald is a different breed in regards to defensive lineman strength. It was reported that Donald could bench 500 pounds. McKivitz says that he got the sense that Donald’s speed is an underrated aspect of his game.
“Everybody always talks about the strength, but for me it was his ability to move. You take one step, and he is two steps past you. He beats you off blocks. He is just a freak athlete. He is one of the best all-time. It is hard to put into words what he can do on the interior and defensive line,” said McKivitz.
McKivitz did say that Donald, who is a Pittsburgh graduate, did not trash talk to him.
Now that the season is over, he now has some time to do what he loves to do and that is hunt with his father, Matt. McKivitz says that the two of them have only gone hunting once since the end of the season, but they are expecting to get some more hunting in before McKivitz heads back west.
“One time so hard, but next week is when we are going to go hard,” said McKivitz.
McKivitz also said that he could not do a lot of hunting over in California due to COVID-19. During the bye weeks, the team had to stay at home.
McKivitz will head to Arizona at the beginning of February to prepare for next season.