As a seventh-grade quarterback in 2010, he garnered national attention when he verbally committed to play football at the University of Southern California.

In 2014, Sills decommitted from USC and eventually signed a national letter of intent to play at West Virginia University.

[1][2] Sills began his college career as a quarterback, but moved to wide receiver as a freshman.

His father is a commercial developer and contractor,[3] who played cornerback for the Virginia Military Institute.

[5][6] Lane Kiffin offered Sills a scholarship to play college football at USC in 2010.

[3] Sports Illustrated hailed him as one of the greatest prospects ever,[13] and Bloomberg News described him as the "best arm money can buy".

All enrolled boys were on the 46-man football team established by David Sills IV to showcase their talents to college scouts.

[18][19] Eastern Christian Academy was only able to play in three games in 2012 due to the school's failure to gain accreditation from the state.

[4] Lane Kiffin, who had originally offered Sills a scholarship back in 2010, was fired by USC in 2013.

According to Sills' father, Sarkisian told his son that USC would honor their scholarship offer.

While receiving reassurance from Sarkisian, the Sillses got the feeling that David wasn't USC's first option.

USC had offered and eventually signed two highly ranked quarterbacks in the same class, Sam Darnold and Ricky Town.

[26][27] Sills earned playing time as a wide receiver after impressing coaches with his performance on the scout team.

[30] After West Virginia's 2016 spring game, West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen stated that Howard solidified his position as the starting quarterback and that Crest and Chugunov would continue to battle for the backup quarterback spot.

[33] He spent seven months on the couch of high school friend Khaliel Rodgers who was on the USC roster as an offensive lineman at the time.

[35] In West Virginia's 2017 spring game, Sills lined up at wide receiver and caught six passes for 98 yards from Will Grier.

[39] Sills added three more touchdown receptions on October 14 against Texas Tech extending his national lead.

On November 13, he was one of three 2017 Big 12 Conference football wide receivers named as a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award (along with James Washington and Keke Coutee).

[46][47] Sills finished the season as the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision touchdown receptions leader with 18 (tied with Anthony Miller).