[4] A 3-star recruit, McKivitz initially committed to play college football at Miami of Ohio but later switched his commitment to West Virginia over offers from Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Marshall, and Toledo.
[7] He became the Mountaineers' starting left tackle four games into his redshirt freshman season after starter Yodny Cajuste tore his ACL and McKivitz started the final ten games of the season.
[9] He moved back to left tackle going into his redshirt senior season and was named first-team All-Big 12, the Big 12 co-Offensive Lineman of the Year and a Second-team All-America by Walter Camp and the Associated Press's third-team.
[16] McKivitz made his first career start on November 29, 2020, lining up at right guard and playing all 72 of the 49ers offensive snaps in a 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
[23] McKivitz suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 4 and was placed on injured reserve on October 8, 2022.