MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Darius and Dante Stills have had their names attached to each other for as long as either can remember. Brothers only one year apart in age, the Stills duo have grown up together in almost every way possible.
Even with the uncertainty around where both would end up in college, fate brought the Fairmont natives back together to play at WVU. Similar positions on the field, college roommates … it’s hard to find Darius without Dante, and vice versa.
But with this season winding down, as is the college career of Darius. The senior can opt to come back if he wants because of the eligibility freeze from the NCAA, but after flirting with the NFL after last season, it’s likely Darius will move on to the next level, even though he isn’t quite ready to make that declaration publicly.
A preseason All-American, Darius has 19 tackles — 6 1/2 for loss — and 3 1/2 sacks through eight games, a slight step down in production from his stellar junior year, but with added focus from opposing offenses.
“It’s a personal decision, and I’ll do what’s best for myself and my family,” he said. “I’m just focusing on what’s happening right now, and I’ll save any decisions until after the season.”
If Darius decides to give the NFL a shot, it would be the first time since 2017 the Stills brothers are not on the same team. Prior, they dominated Class AA at Fairmont Senior and worked through the middle school and rec leagues in North Central West Virginia.
Dante is also drawing attention from NFL circles, regardless, the thought of not playing with Darius again is starting to set in for the junior.
“We’ve definitely talked about it a lot if this is his last couple of games,” Dante said. “We’re going to make the most of it. It sucks, you know, I’ve played with him my whole life so knowing this is our last couple games … it sucks and it’s emotional I’ve gotta fight through it and just keep playing.
“It’s one thing we talk about all the time, when he goes off to do his own thing. I’ve been here my whole life and he has too, so we’ve been roommates and lived together our whole lives. It’s going to suck, because who doesn’t want to play with their brother their whole life? It’s definitely going to be hard, for sure.”
The Stills brothers and the Mountaineers are headed into their final two games of the regular season against Iowa State and Oklahoma, beginning Saturday on the road in Ames vs. the Cyclones.
Defensive line coach Jordan Lesley said pressure on quarterback Brock Purdy will be key to stopping No. 9 Iowa State, so the Stills brothers will have their hands full and bear a lot of responsibility.
“He’s definitely a good ballplayer,” Dante said. “He knows how to run his offense very well. He definitely takes his time and knows where the holes are. It’s a big challenge coming up and he’ll be ready to go.”
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