From the time he was just 13 years old, David Sills was considered one of the best passing prospects in the nation. But his move to wide receiver and iron will took him all the way to the National Football League
As the Falcons wrapped up a hard-fought victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football, 27-24, the squad swarmed the field to celebrate. But there was one guy on that turf that wasn’t supposed to be there. No, he wasn’t streaking across the field, drunk and naked, and he wasn’t an overambitious autograph seeker. It was David Sills V, an Atlanta wide receiver who should’ve never made it to the NFL… until he did.
Sills’ transition from a young quarterback to Atlanta Falcons wide receiver impressed many fans who watched him carve his way to the NFL. The 29-year-old likely never expected so many twists and turns, but in the end, he reached his ultimate destination.
Sills was offered a scholarship to the University of Southern California when he was just 13 years old, which is pretty unheard of. Imagine being in junior high and one of the nation’s most high-profile coaches, Lane Kiffin, reaching out to you personally. Mind-blowing.
The story received national headlines, and it immediately established the youngster as a recognized football prodigy. But as he progressed in his career, he realized he wasn’t going to be the first-string passer. Eventually, he transitioned over to wide receiver after those challenges at USC and later at West Virginia floored his QB career.
Sills went undrafted in the NFL but finally found a spot in a short stint with the Buffalo Bills. Then he made his way to Atlanta in 2019, where he has worked his way into being a factor for the Falcons. It’s definitely been a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs, but it’s truly inspiring how he kept pushing forward and eventually made it to the big time.
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Teammates like Rasul Douglas and Shelton Gibson have talked about his work ethic and passion for the game. Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson praised Sills’ contributions on the field, saying he “sees the game like a quarterback” and can play all three receiver spots. It’s a testament to dedication and the respect his coaches and teammates have for him.
David Sills V has recorded 14 receptions for 143 yards, averaging 10.2 yards per catch, hastwo touchdowns thus far in the 2025 season. His performance has steadily improved, with significant contributions in November and December.
Those kinds of statistics are the kind of numbers he needs to accrue to stay on the roster and relevant. The Falcons already have talented wideouts Drake London and Darnell Mooney, making Sills a nice fit as a slot receiver and clutch playmaker.
After a tumultuous but resilient path to the pros, David Sills deserves the respect of Falcons fans and the NFL as a whole. He’s one of the greatest stories in the game today. And it’s not about a quarterback or a wide receiver. It’s about a 13-year-old kid who never gave up on his dream destination, no matter how many twists and turns it took to get there.
For a more detailed account, check out this video by Flem Lo Raps
(And please… don’t forget to cue the Wayne)
Ryan K Boman is a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated and the author of the 2023 book, Pop Music & Peanut Butter: A Collection of Essays Looking at Life with Love & Laughter. His previous work has appeared at The Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo! Sports, Heavy, IMDb, the Miami Herald, Screen Rant, and Yardbarker
The Sidearmer 