The San Francisco 49ers selected West Virginia tackle Colton McKivitz with the pick (No. 153 overall) in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The selection comes after the 49ers traded for veteran offensive tackle Trent Williams, and after news that 13-year veteran Joe Staley plans to retire.
San Francisco acquired this draft pick by trading away running back Matt Breida to the Miami Dolphins.
McKivitz was a four-year starter with the Mountaineers. He primarily played right tackle but anchored the left side during his senior year and even has experience playing right guard.
The 49ers provided the following bio on McKivitz:
Appeared in 50 games (47 starts) in five years at West Virginia (2015-19). Started all 12 games at LT as a senior in 2019 and was named Big 12 Conference Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year and First-Team All-Big 12 and AP Third-Team All-America. As a junior in 2018, started 12 games at right tackle and was part of an offensive line that paved the way for the Mountaineers to average 512.3 yds. of total offense per game, ranking 2nd in the Big 12 and 8th nationally. Started 13 games as a sophomore in 2017 and was part of the offensive line that helped the offense average 309.3 passing YPG, which ranked 13th nationally. Played in 13 games (10 starts) as a redshirt freshman in 2016 and was a member of an offensive line that was second in the Big 12 in fewest sacks allowed. Redshirted in 2015.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-6 and 306-pound McKivitz had a 40-time of 5.35 seconds, a vertical jump of 26 inches, a broad jump of 106 inches, completed the three-cone drill in 7.87 seconds, 20 reps in the bench press, and a 20-yard shuttle time of 5 seconds. Other measurables for McKivitz include an arm length of 33 3/4 inches and hands that measure 10 inches.
NFL.com projected McKivitz to be a sixth-round draft pick.
Below is the NFL.com draft profile bio on McKivitz:
Mountaineers coaches managed to pull McKivitz out of Ohio, where he was a first-team all-state pick in football and basketball as a senior. As a redshirt freshman, he earned 10 starts at tackle and played in 13 games overall. The next two seasons, McKivitz was named honorable mention All-Big 12 by league coaches after starting all 25 contests for WVU. Even though the Mountaineers' offensive performance in 2019 was disappointing, McKivitz's play in 12 starts at left tackle was recognized by the Associated Press (third-team All-American) and conference coaches (second-team All-Big 12).
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Kivitz to Kaleb McGary, wrote the following about Kivitz within his scouting report:
Tackle prospect with below-average arm length, average athleticism and above-average nasty. While he's likely to be tagged as a right tackle, he may have the tools to fit into a swing tackle role if needed. He's got good natural strength but some lower body tightness hinders leverage both as a drive blocker and in his pass anchor. McKivitz can be a little tardy on backside cutoffs, but moves well enough to handle blocking duties in space. His dirt-dog mentality will be welcomed in offensive line rooms, but he will have to fight to be become an NFL starter.
Measurables
Height: 6-6
Weight: 306 lbs.
Arm length: 33 3/4 inches
Hand length: 10 inches
NFL Scouting Combine
40-time: 5.35 seconds
Vertical: 26 inches
Broad jump: 106 inches
3-cone drill: 7.87 seconds
Bench press: 20 reps
20-yard shuttle: 5 seconds
Personal
- Attended Union Local (Jacobsburg, OH) HS where he was a three-year starter and a captain for his final two seasons. Also named Associated Press Division V All-Ohio first team as a senior in 2014.
- Graduated with a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries resources from West Virginia.
- Son of Matt and Wendy McKivitz.
- Born Colton McKivitz (8/9/96) in Jacobsburg, OH.
- In addition to playing football, McKivitz was a four-year basketball player at Union Local (Jacobsburg, OH) HS, earning all-state honors as a senior in 2014.
- McKivitz didn't participate in organized football until he enrolled at Union Local before his sophomore year of HS in 2012. By the time he graduated, the Union Local Jets retired his number 53. "It was huge. At the time I didn't really understand the meaning of it. But now, once you look back on it, that number will never see the field again. It's a pretty big honor for me."
- McKivitz is a lover of outdoor activities, as he frequently spends his time with his dad, Matt, fishing, and hunting, typically for deer, ducks, and squirrels. "It was really my dad that got me into it," said McKivitz. "He's got me into everything in the outdoors, really. That's me and dad's time, the outdoor time. I'm just lucky to have that type of figure to learn from and that's kind of what I love most about the outdoors."
- After hunting, McKivitz's dad, Matt, is known for creating unique hats from the animals the two of them hunted. The elder McKivitz could always be seen sporting one at West Virginia's home games.