By SETH STASKEY

Times Leader Sports Editor

MORGANTOWN — Colton McKivitz admits there are times when he has to snap himself back into reality.

Who could blame him though for getting caught up in the moment at times?

After all, McKivitz is embarking on his third season as a starting offensive lineman at West Virginia, is on track to graduate with a degree in the spring and hears his name bandied about as a possible future NFL draft pick.

“Sometimes it’s okay to reflect on how far you’ve come, but eventually you have to pinch yourself and focus again on what is still ahead,” McKivitz said during an interview before training camp opened earlier this month.

Let’s be honest. McKivitz wasn’t the most sought-after recruit the Ohio Valley has produced in recent years. Until WVU came calling, basically he had a list of offers from the Mid-American Conference and had actually committed to Miami of Ohio.

“I’ve actually thought about what might have been had I gone to Miami,” McKivitz said. “I think I’ve surprised some people. I’ve even surprised myself, honestly. Like Coach (Dana) Holgorsen always says, I ‘was a long-haired basketball player’ when I came here.”

He’s much more than that right now. McKivitz was thrusted into the starting lineup as a red-shirt freshmen and simply hasn’t looked back since.

“Getting thrown into the starting lineup so early made mature faster,” McKivitz said. “Getting yelled at by the strength staff and seniors helped.