[1] McKillop attended Kiski Area High School in Allegheny Township, Pennsylvania, where he was a starter for two-and-a-half seasons on both sides of the ball (linebacker and fullback).
At fullback McKillop rushed for 1,121 yards and 14 touchdowns over his final two seasons and helped Kiski Area to three consecutive WPIAL Class AAAA playoff berths.
[2] After redshirting his initial year at Pittsburgh, McKillop served as the primary backup at middle linebacker behind All-America H. B. Blades, before seizing the starting role in 2007.
The centerpiece of a unit that is seventh nationally in total defense, yielding just 297.67 yards per game, McKillop also compiled 9.0 tackles for loss, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception and seven pass breakups.
[4] An inside linebacker in San Francisco's 3-4 defense, McKillop competed with former veteran player Jeff Ulbrich to serve as backup to Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes.