David Sills V Bio
David Sills V is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. Born on May 29, 1996, in Wilmington, Delaware, Sills rose to national prominence as a seventh-grade quarterback when he received a college scholarship offer from the University of Southern California. He transitioned to wide receiver during his college career at West Virginia University, where he became one of the most prolific touchdown scorers in college football history. Since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Sills has developed into a reliable NFL receiver, building a career spanning multiple teams including the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and currently the Atlanta Falcons.
Early Life and Background
David Sills V was born to Denise and David Sills IV in Wilmington, Delaware. His father, David Sills IV, worked as a commercial developer and contractor but also played cornerback for the Virginia Military Institute. Sills began playing youth football at the age of six and started specialized quarterback training at age nine under trainer Steve Clarkson. He grew up with two older sisters, Emma and Abby, in a family that valued athletic achievement and competitive spirit.
During his youth, Sills attended Red Lion Christian Academy in Delaware, where he served as the starting quarterback as a high school freshman. He then transferred to Eastern Christian Academy in Elkton, Maryland, for his sophomore year. His early athletic accomplishments garnered significant media attention, with Sports Illustrated highlighting him as one of the most promising quarterback prospects in the country. At Red Lion in 2010, he passed for 1,355 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games, followed by 2,340 yards and 28 touchdowns the next year.
Path to American Football
Sills received his first major college scholarship offer while in seventh grade when then-USC head coach Lane Kiffin offered him a spot to play quarterback at the University of Southern California. In 2010, Sills gave USC a non-binding verbal commitment, making him one of the youngest football players to receive a scholarship offer from a major program. However, after Lane Kiffin was fired in 2013, the coaching situation at USC became uncertain.
When Steve Sarkisian took over as USC head coach, he initially told Sills the school would honor the scholarship offer. However, the Sills family felt David was not USC’s first priority after the school signed two highly ranked quarterbacks, Sam Darnold and Ricky Town, in the same recruiting class. Sills decommitted from USC in June 2014 and ultimately chose West Virginia University, announcing his commitment via Twitter on July 16, 2014. He enrolled early at West Virginia and participated in spring practice, battling for the starting quarterback position against Skyler Howard, William Crest Jr., and Chris Chugunov.
David Sills V Career
College Career at West Virginia (2015-2018)
After losing the quarterback competition to Skyler Howard, Sills began making plays as a wide receiver on the scout team. His performance impressed coaches enough that he earned playing time at receiver. He made his collegiate debut against the Baylor Bears on October 17, 2015, finishing with two receptions for 64 yards. His second collegiate reception was a 35-yard touchdown, signaling his potential as a pass-catcher.
Following the 2016 spring game, with former Florida starting quarterback Will Grier set to become eligible in 2017, it became clear Sills would not get his opportunity to play quarterback at West Virginia. On June 23, 2016, he announced his transfer to El Camino College, where he spent seven months living with a high school friend. At El Camino, Sills played quarterback and threw for 1,636 yards and 15 touchdowns in his lone season there.
Return to West Virginia and Breakout (2017-2018)
Sills returned to West Virginia on December 15, 2016, and transitioned permanently to wide receiver. In the 2017 season opener against Virginia Tech, he posted nine receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns in a competitive game. He followed with a career-high 153 yards and three touchdowns against East Carolina. Throughout the season, Sills established himself as the nation’s top receiver, catching touchdown passes at an unprecedented rate.
By midseason 2017, Sills had established a commanding national lead in touchdown receptions with 15 through eight games. He finished the season as the NCAA Division I FBS touchdown receptions leader with 18, tied with Anthony Miller. His performance earned him numerous accolades including being named a semifinalist and finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s top receiver. Sills was the only West Virginia player named to the 2017 All-Big 12 Conference first team and earned first-team All-American honors from Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, and CBS Sports.
Returning for his senior season in 2018, Sills opened with a seven-catch, 140-yard, two-touchdown performance against Tennessee. With Will Grier back at quarterback, Sills continued his productive partnership with the signal-caller, recording multiple two-touchdown games against Kansas State, Baylor, Texas, and Oklahoma. His 15 touchdowns led the Big 12 Conference for the second consecutive season. Following the season, he earned second-team All-American honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the American Football Coaches Association, along with third-team recognition from the Associated Press.
Professional Career (2019-Present)
Sills entered the 2019 NFL Draft but went undrafted. He signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019, but was waived during final roster cuts on August 31. The New York Giants signed him to their practice squad the same day, and he was promoted to the active roster on December 17, 2019, appearing in limited action to close his rookie season.
During his tenure with the Giants from 2019 to 2022, Sills experienced several roster transitions. He spent time on the reserve/COVID-19 list in 2020, fractured his foot during training camp resulting in injured reserve placement, and saw his role fluctuate between the active roster and practice squad throughout 2021 and 2022. He signed a contract extension in January 2021 and re-signed with the team in March 2022. Sills surpassed 100 career receiving yards in Week 7 of the 2022 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording a 19-yard reception that brought his career total to 118 yards. He was released on December 31, 2022, and re-signed to the practice squad before being signed to a reserve/future contract in January 2023, then waived during final roster cuts later that year.
Denver Broncos (2023-2024)
On August 31, 2023, Sills was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad after being waived by the Giants. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024, to remain with the organization. During the 2024 preseason, he was released on August 27 but re-signed to the practice squad the following day, continuing his journeyman NFL career.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025-Present)
On January 21, 2025, Sills signed a reserve/future contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He made the initial 53-man roster during training camp but was released on September 5 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 13, 2025, earning a regular spot on the roster. Sills caught his first career NFL touchdown against the New Orleans Saints on November 23, 2025, and recorded his second career touchdown the following week against the New York Jets, marking significant milestones in his NFL career.
David Sills V Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning multiple teams, Sills has established himself as a depth receiver with occasional big-play capability. His collegiate success at West Virginia, where he dominated the receiving position after transitioning from quarterback, translated into consistent production at the professional level.
NFL Career Highlights
Sills made his NFL breakthrough in 2025 with the Atlanta Falcons, catching his first career NFL touchdown in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints. He followed with another touchdown reception the next week against the New York Jets, doubling his career total in consecutive games. This momentum carried him into a more prominent role within the Falcons offense as the season progressed. His ability to find the end zone in clutch situations demonstrated the red-zone prowess he developed during his record-setting college career at West Virginia.
College Career Summary
At West Virginia across two stints, Sills compiled impressive receiving statistics over three seasons. His 18 touchdown receptions in 2017 led all of college football and earned him the FBS touchdown receptions crown. Over his final two seasons combined, he recorded 33 touchdown receptions while earning back-to-back first-team All-Big 12 honors. His transition from quarterback to one of the nation’s most prolific receivers showcased his football IQ, work ethic, and natural receiving abilities.
David Sills V Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Sills comes from an athletic family with football connections through his father. David Sills IV played cornerback for the Virginia Military Institute, providing his son with football knowledge and competitive drive from an early age. The elder Sills also established Eastern Christian Academy, where David V played during his sophomore year of high school. This family involvement in football at multiple levels helped shape Sills into the accomplished player he became.
Personal Life
Sills maintains a strong presence on social media, where he connects with fans and shares updates about his football career. He attended Eastern Christian Academy for high school before completing his collegiate journey at West Virginia University and El Camino College. His journey from a nationally recognized quarterback prospect to a record-setting college receiver to an NFL professional demonstrates his adaptability and dedication to the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a turning point in Sills’ professional career with the Atlanta Falcons. After joining the team in January and surviving roster cuts, he worked his way into a consistent role within the receiving corps. His promotion from practice squad to active roster in mid-September reflected his contributions during practice and preparation.
Sills’ first career NFL touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in November represented the culmination of years of professional development since going undrafted in 2019. The score came during a crucial moment in a road game, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. He followed that milestone with another touchdown the next week against the New York Jets, demonstrating consistency in the red zone that had been a hallmark of his game throughout his football career.
The connection between Sills and Falcons quarterback play evolved throughout the season as he earned more targets and snaps. His experience in various offensive systems across four NFL teams provided the coaching staff with flexibility in playbook usage. The 2025 season positioned Sills for an expanded role moving forward, as he proved he could contribute meaningfully to an NFL offense and score touchdowns at the sport’s highest level.