Photo by: WVU Athletic Communications
Younger Stills Ready to Fly Solo in 2021
July 26, 2021 04:33 PM | Football, Blog
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – For the first time since he signed with West Virginia four years ago, senior defensive tackle Dante Stills is preparing to go it alone.
His older brother, Darius, is no longer around the Puskar Center to offer his younger brother daily support.
We all know what Darius did during his outstanding 43-game career at WVU, the Fairmont resident becoming only the 12th consensus All-American in school history. He will go down as one of the five best defensive linemen to ever play for the Mountaineers.
Dante didn't exactly play in his older brother's shadows, though. The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder earned Associated Press All-Big 12 Second Team honors in 2020 after producing 10½ tackles for loss and a pair of sacks in just 10 games. His three-season totals include 12 sacks, 28½ tackles for loss and 75 total tackles, which put him right there with some of the most productive defensive tackles in school history.
But it was Darius who did most of the talking whenever the two were together. Ask Dante a question and Darius was usually quick to jump in with an answer. That's what older brothers sometimes do.
Now, it's Dante's turn to do the talking with Darius pursuing an NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders. And judging from his performance in Arlington, Texas, two weeks ago during Big 12 media days, Dante is going to be just fine with Darius living in another time zone.
"It's definitely going to be different playing without my brother," Dante said earlier this month. "I've been playing with him my whole life. He's moved on to the next level, and I'm trying to get there, too. I know what I've got to do. I have to play my game and stay focused on the main goal."
Decked out in a spiffy blue suit, blue tie, white shirt and paisley pocket square, the younger Stills handled his first big media opportunity like a seasoned pro. Even some of the more ambiguous questions posed to him such as what was your favorite game? or what was the most important lesson you've learned as a player? he didn't bat an eye.
Dante took his time and answered thoughtfully, his eyes locked on his questioner.
He said his favorite game so far was West Virginia's victory over NC State, which occurred during his sophomore year in 2019.
And the most important lesson he's learned?
"Patience," Stills admitted. "Being patient is the key to everything – understanding your role to be the best player you can be."
Dante's role this year is to try and become one of the dominant defensive tackles in college football. The former ESPN 300 recruit, who turned down offers from Oklahoma and Florida coming out of Fairmont Senior High, certainly has the ability to do so.
He has had some dominant moments so far, such as last year against Texas Tech when he made seven tackles, shared a TFL, broke up a pass and recovered a fumble. He was dominant a couple of years ago when he produced a pair of sacks and spent a good portion of the evening with his brother in Baylor's backfield. He was also disruptive in that game against NC State back in 2019 when he had a couple of sacks and three tackles in his first career start.
That's what the coaches who voted him to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team are anticipating from Stills this season. Dante was also named to the Pro Football Focus and Athlon Preseason All-America teams.
Stills is expected to be one of the top defensive tackles in the 2022 NFL Draft, and a productive 2021 could elevate him near the top of the list, which is why he returned to WVU for his senior season in the first place.
"I'm honored and blessed to be in the conversation, but at the same time, I've got to show them I deserve it," Stills said. "I've just got to dominate and try and be the best defensive lineman in the country."
His coach, Neal Brown, believes he can.
"I think Dante has got a chance to really have a breakout senior season," he said, mentioning that Stills was one of the team's most improved players during the spring.
This year, instead of teaming inside with his older brother, Dante will now be paired with promising sophomore Akheem Mesidor, who is making the move from defensive end.
Stills believes Mesidor is up to the challenge.
"It's a whole different world in there," he admitted. "Last year, he was at the end spot and it was less contact, but now it's more moving around, getting up field and dealing with double and triple teams.
"He's definitely taller than my brother, but he doesn't weigh as much," Stills added. "Putting on weight during summer workouts is very important for all of us across the board. Akheem knows it might not come automatically at first, but he has to keep working through it. At nose guard, everything is closer together."
Now playing together, one is certain to draw a double team because they are both so explosive off the ball. For the last couple of years, Darius was the guy who took on most of the double teams, which allowed Dante the freedom to roam and make plays.
This year, it could be Dante who is fighting off those extra blockers.
"If I get doubled (Mesidor) has a chance to make plays. If he gets doubled, I might have a chance or the D-end might have a chance, so it's up for grabs," Dante noted. "I feel like teams are going to scheme off me, and I'm up for the challenge. Whatever happens, I'll just play through it 100%."
Stills listed a number of young defensive linemen who should give West Virginia quality depth this season behind them.
"We have guys like Jalen Thornton, Jordan Jefferson, Lanell Carr, Taurus Simmons, Sean Martin and Hammond Russell, a big dude who is a freshman," Stills said. "(Senior) Taihj Alston was hurt for two seasons and he came back last year. He tore his ACL, and I feel like he's definitely growing and getting way better. After an injury like that, it's hard to bounce back and he's doing a great job taking care of his body and trying to be that dude on the defensive line."
Stills believes there are more than enough players returning from last year's No. 4-rated defense to keep the Mountaineers near the top of the NCAA defensive rankings this season. He also predicted safety Scottie Young will be one of the team's top "surprises" this fall.
"His mentality is like, 'Go, go,'" Stills said of the Arizona transfer. "There are a lot of guys on defense that I can say like that, but he's one of the guys I really notice.
He added, "I feel like we're continuing to grow. Even though we did lose my brother and Tony (Fields II), I feel like the guys coming into those positions are going to step up big and make our team proud and make West Virginia proud."
The Mountaineer Ticket Office announced earlier today that single-game tickets for the 2021 season, including rival Virginia Tech, will go on sale Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. Fans can call toll-free 1-800-WVU GAME or log on to wvugame.com to purchase their single-game tickets.
His older brother, Darius, is no longer around the Puskar Center to offer his younger brother daily support.
We all know what Darius did during his outstanding 43-game career at WVU, the Fairmont resident becoming only the 12th consensus All-American in school history. He will go down as one of the five best defensive linemen to ever play for the Mountaineers.
Dante didn't exactly play in his older brother's shadows, though. The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder earned Associated Press All-Big 12 Second Team honors in 2020 after producing 10½ tackles for loss and a pair of sacks in just 10 games. His three-season totals include 12 sacks, 28½ tackles for loss and 75 total tackles, which put him right there with some of the most productive defensive tackles in school history.
But it was Darius who did most of the talking whenever the two were together. Ask Dante a question and Darius was usually quick to jump in with an answer. That's what older brothers sometimes do.
Now, it's Dante's turn to do the talking with Darius pursuing an NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders. And judging from his performance in Arlington, Texas, two weeks ago during Big 12 media days, Dante is going to be just fine with Darius living in another time zone.
"It's definitely going to be different playing without my brother," Dante said earlier this month. "I've been playing with him my whole life. He's moved on to the next level, and I'm trying to get there, too. I know what I've got to do. I have to play my game and stay focused on the main goal."
Decked out in a spiffy blue suit, blue tie, white shirt and paisley pocket square, the younger Stills handled his first big media opportunity like a seasoned pro. Even some of the more ambiguous questions posed to him such as what was your favorite game? or what was the most important lesson you've learned as a player? he didn't bat an eye.
Dante took his time and answered thoughtfully, his eyes locked on his questioner.
He said his favorite game so far was West Virginia's victory over NC State, which occurred during his sophomore year in 2019.
And the most important lesson he's learned?
"Patience," Stills admitted. "Being patient is the key to everything – understanding your role to be the best player you can be."
Dante's role this year is to try and become one of the dominant defensive tackles in college football. The former ESPN 300 recruit, who turned down offers from Oklahoma and Florida coming out of Fairmont Senior High, certainly has the ability to do so.
He has had some dominant moments so far, such as last year against Texas Tech when he made seven tackles, shared a TFL, broke up a pass and recovered a fumble. He was dominant a couple of years ago when he produced a pair of sacks and spent a good portion of the evening with his brother in Baylor's backfield. He was also disruptive in that game against NC State back in 2019 when he had a couple of sacks and three tackles in his first career start.
That's what the coaches who voted him to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team are anticipating from Stills this season. Dante was also named to the Pro Football Focus and Athlon Preseason All-America teams.
Stills is expected to be one of the top defensive tackles in the 2022 NFL Draft, and a productive 2021 could elevate him near the top of the list, which is why he returned to WVU for his senior season in the first place."I'm honored and blessed to be in the conversation, but at the same time, I've got to show them I deserve it," Stills said. "I've just got to dominate and try and be the best defensive lineman in the country."
His coach, Neal Brown, believes he can.
"I think Dante has got a chance to really have a breakout senior season," he said, mentioning that Stills was one of the team's most improved players during the spring.
This year, instead of teaming inside with his older brother, Dante will now be paired with promising sophomore Akheem Mesidor, who is making the move from defensive end.
Stills believes Mesidor is up to the challenge.
"It's a whole different world in there," he admitted. "Last year, he was at the end spot and it was less contact, but now it's more moving around, getting up field and dealing with double and triple teams.
"He's definitely taller than my brother, but he doesn't weigh as much," Stills added. "Putting on weight during summer workouts is very important for all of us across the board. Akheem knows it might not come automatically at first, but he has to keep working through it. At nose guard, everything is closer together."
Now playing together, one is certain to draw a double team because they are both so explosive off the ball. For the last couple of years, Darius was the guy who took on most of the double teams, which allowed Dante the freedom to roam and make plays.
This year, it could be Dante who is fighting off those extra blockers.
"If I get doubled (Mesidor) has a chance to make plays. If he gets doubled, I might have a chance or the D-end might have a chance, so it's up for grabs," Dante noted. "I feel like teams are going to scheme off me, and I'm up for the challenge. Whatever happens, I'll just play through it 100%."
Stills listed a number of young defensive linemen who should give West Virginia quality depth this season behind them.
"We have guys like Jalen Thornton, Jordan Jefferson, Lanell Carr, Taurus Simmons, Sean Martin and Hammond Russell, a big dude who is a freshman," Stills said. "(Senior) Taihj Alston was hurt for two seasons and he came back last year. He tore his ACL, and I feel like he's definitely growing and getting way better. After an injury like that, it's hard to bounce back and he's doing a great job taking care of his body and trying to be that dude on the defensive line."
Stills believes there are more than enough players returning from last year's No. 4-rated defense to keep the Mountaineers near the top of the NCAA defensive rankings this season. He also predicted safety Scottie Young will be one of the team's top "surprises" this fall.
"His mentality is like, 'Go, go,'" Stills said of the Arizona transfer. "There are a lot of guys on defense that I can say like that, but he's one of the guys I really notice.
He added, "I feel like we're continuing to grow. Even though we did lose my brother and Tony (Fields II), I feel like the guys coming into those positions are going to step up big and make our team proud and make West Virginia proud."
The Mountaineer Ticket Office announced earlier today that single-game tickets for the 2021 season, including rival Virginia Tech, will go on sale Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. Fans can call toll-free 1-800-WVU GAME or log on to wvugame.com to purchase their single-game tickets.
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