Dante Stills Bio
Dante Stills is an American professional football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 14, 1999, in Fairmont, West Virginia, Stills played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers from 2018 to 2022. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 213th overall pick. As a rookie in 2023, Stills made an immediate impact, appearing in 15 games with 8 starts and recording 47 tackles and 3.5 sacks. His career has been marked by consistency and development, with his NFL statistics through 2025 showing 123 total tackles, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 pass deflections.
Early Life and Background
Dante Stills grew up in Fairmont, West Virginia, where his football legacy began at home. His father, Gary Stills, starred at West Virginia University and went on to enjoy a 10-year career in the NFL. The Stills family football tradition continued with Dante’s uncle, Ken Stills, and cousin, Kenny Stills, both of whom also played professional football. This rich football heritage provided Dante with both inspiration and guidance from an early age.
Stills attended Fairmont Senior High School in West Virginia, where he began developing the skills that would carry him to the collegiate level. Growing up in a household surrounded by NFL experience gave Stills a unique understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level of the sport. The guidance from his father and exposure to professional football expectations shaped his work ethic and approach to the game.
Path to Professional Football
Following his high school career at Fairmont Senior, Stills chose to stay close to home and continue his football journey at West Virginia University. He joined the Mountaineers program in 2018, following in the footsteps of his father who had also played for WVU. This decision allowed him to play close to family while developing under the collegiate coaching staff.
Stills made his collegiate debut as a true freshman in 2018, playing against Tennessee. His first season proved he belonged at the major college level, as he recorded 16 tackles, 3 sacks, and 6 tackles for loss. His 2 forced fumbles tied for the team lead that season. His impressive freshman performance earned him recognition as a Freshman All-American by both The Athletic and ESPN, signaling his potential as a future professional player.
Dante Stills Career
College Career (2018–2022)
Stills built upon his freshman success throughout his college career at West Virginia. In 2019, he appeared in 12 games and accumulated 24 tackles, including a forced fumble and a pass breakup. His consistent performance earned him Second Team All-Big 12 Conference honors. The 2020 season saw Stills start all 10 games alongside his brother, Darius Stills, on the Mountaineers defensive line. He finished that junior season with 35 tackles, a fumble recovery, a blocked kick, and 2 pass breakups.
His standout 2020 performance earned him All-Big 12 Conference First Team honors from Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele, while the Associated Press selected him for the All-Big 12 Second Team. He also received PFF All-American honorable mention recognition. Rather than entering the 2021 NFL Draft, Stills made the decision to return to West Virginia for another season, citing his desire to continue developing. He was named a preseason All-American heading into his final collegiate campaign. In 2022, Stills achieved the honor of First-team All-Big 12, capping off a distinguished five-year college career with the Mountaineers.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–Present)
Stills declared for the 2023 NFL Draft after completing his college career at West Virginia. The Arizona Cardinals selected him in the sixth round with the 213th overall pick, adding him to their defensive line rotation. His selection continued the Stills family legacy in professional football, joining a father and uncle who had already established themselves in the NFL.
As a rookie in the 2023 season, Stills demonstrated he could translate his college success to the professional level. He played in 15 games with 8 starts, recording 47 tackles and 3.5 sacks. His ability to get to the quarterback showed immediately, and his rotational role on the defensive line allowed him to gain valuable experience while contributing to the Cardinals defense. His rookie campaign established him as a building block for the franchise’s future.
Through the 2025 season, Stills continued to develop his game with the Arizona Cardinals. His career NFL statistics through 2025 include 123 total tackles, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 pass deflections. He has become a consistent presence on the Cardinals defensive line, showcasing the skills that made him a standout at West Virginia while adapting to the speed and complexity of professional football.
Playing Style and Strengths
Stills plays the defensive end position at 6 feet 4 inches and 300 pounds, giving him the size and length to compete against NFL offensive linemen. His pass-rushing ability developed during his West Virginia career translated well to the professional level, as evidenced by his sack production both as a rookie and throughout his career. His understanding of defensive schemes, honed through five seasons of college football, allows him to read plays and disrupt opposing offenses. His ability to stop the run while also pressuring the quarterback makes him a versatile asset on the defensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stills reached several milestones on his path from Fairmont Senior High School to the NFL. His First-team All-Big 12 selection in 2022 represented the pinnacle of his college achievements. Being drafted by an NFL team in 2023 fulfilled a dream that began watching his father’s career. His rookie season sack total of 3.5 demonstrated his ability to contribute immediately, and his continued production through 2025, with career totals reaching 8 sacks, shows his development trajectory. The opportunity to play alongside his brother Darius at West Virginia provided a unique experience that strengthened both players’ development.
Dante Stills Career Wins
Throughout his college and professional career, Dante Stills has accumulated individual honors and statistical achievements that highlight his impact at each level. While football does not award traditional wins in the sense of championships for defensive players, his tackle and sack statistics, combined with his All-Conference selections, represent his contributions to his teams’ successes.
College Highlights
Stills left West Virginia as one of the most decorated defensive players in program history. His First-team All-Big 12 selection in 2022 marked the culmination of his collegiate career. Throughout his five seasons with the Mountaineers, he accumulated significant statistics including sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles. His Freshman All-American recognition in 2018 established him early as a player with professional potential. The decision to return for a fifth season in 2021 demonstrated his commitment to development and paid off with his standout senior year performance that earned him First-team All-Big 12 honors.
Professional Highlights
In his first two NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals through 2025, Stills established himself as a reliable contributor on the defensive line. His 8 career sacks and 123 total tackles demonstrate his ability to both pressure quarterbacks and stop the run. Playing in 15 games as a rookie with 8 starts showed the coaching staff’s trust in his abilities from day one. His continued role with the Cardinals through 2025 indicates the organization views him as part of their long-term plans on defense.
Dante Stills Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
The Stills family has established one of the most impressive football legacies in West Virginia history. Dante’s father, Gary Stills, starred at West Virginia University before embarking on a 10-year NFL career. Gary’s success paved the way for future generations and provided Dante with firsthand knowledge of what professional football requires. Dante’s uncle, Ken Stills, also played in the NFL, further extending the family’s professional football experience. Dante’s cousin, Kenny Stills, continued the tradition in the NFL, giving Dante multiple family members to look to as examples of professional success.
Personal Life
Dante Stills grew up alongside his brother, Darius Stills, who also played football at West Virginia. The brothers had the unique experience of playing together on the Mountaineers defensive line during the 2020 season, a period Dante has referenced as special in his football career. Having a brother with similar football dreams created both friendly competition and mutual support throughout their development. The family atmosphere around football in the Stills household contributed significantly to Dante’s love for the game and his understanding of the dedication required to succeed at the highest levels.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another step in Dante Stills’ development with the Arizona Cardinals. Continuing his role on the defensive line, Stills built upon his rookie and second-year experiences to become an even more consistent contributor. His career statistics through 2025 reflect a player who has established himself as a reliable every-down defender capable of stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. The Cardinals’ defensive scheme has utilized Stills’ abilities developed at West Virginia, allowing him to make plays in both running and passing situations.
Stills’ partnership with the Cardinals coaching staff has allowed him to refine his technique and expand his football intelligence. Understanding NFL offenses at a higher level than his early seasons has improved his play recognition and reaction time. The defensive line rotation in Arizona has given him opportunities to stay fresh while remaining a consistent presence. Looking ahead, Stills appears positioned to continue his growth as a professional player, with the foundation of his game built on the strong family legacy and collegiate development that brought him to the NFL.