Colton McKivitz Bio
Colton McKivitz is an American professional football offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 9, 1996, in Jacobsburg, Ohio, he rose from a small-town high school standout to a multi-year NFL starter along the offensive line. After playing college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers, McKivitz entered the league in 2020 and has since developed into a reliable presence on the 49ers’ front.
Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 305 pounds, McKivitz brings the size and athleticism expected of a modern NFL tackle. He has earned recognition at both the collegiate and professional levels, including second-team All-American honors and a Big 12 co-Offensive Lineman of the Year award during his final season at West Virginia.
Early Life and Background
McKivitz grew up in Belmont, Ohio, a small community in the eastern part of the state near the West Virginia border. He attended East Richland Christian High School before transferring to Union Local High School shortly before his sophomore year, a move that helped shape his athletic development.
As a senior at Union Local, McKivitz emerged as one of the top offensive linemen in Ohio and was named first-team All-Ohio. His high school retired his jersey number in 2019, an unusual honor that reflected his lasting impact on the local program. Rated as a 3-star recruit, McKivitz initially committed to play college football at Miami of Ohio before switching his commitment to West Virginia.
McKivitz also drew scholarship offers from Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Marshall, and Toledo before settling on the Mountaineers. The decision to leave Ohio for a Big 12 Conference program marked the beginning of his path toward higher-level competition.
Path to the NFL
McKivitz redshirted his true freshman season at West Virginia, using the year to adjust to the speed and demands of college football. Four games into his redshirt freshman year, starter Yodny Cajuste tore his ACL, and McKivitz stepped into the starting left tackle role. He held that position for the final ten games of the season, signaling his readiness for extended responsibility.
As a redshirt sophomore, McKivitz shifted to right tackle and started all 13 games, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference recognition. He started all 12 games as a redshirt junior before moving back to left tackle for his redshirt senior campaign. That final college season produced his most decorated year, including first-team All-Big 12 honors, Big 12 co-Offensive Lineman of the Year, and second-team All-American selections.
His combination of experience, positional versatility, and consistent play across more than 40 career starts made McKivitz an attractive NFL prospect. He entered the 2020 NFL draft and was selected in the fifth round with the 153rd overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers.
Colton McKivitz Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
McKivitz made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 2020 season against the New York Jets, logging eight snaps on offense and five snaps on special teams. His first career start came on November 29, 2020, when he lined up at right guard and played all 72 offensive snaps in a 23–20 win over the Los Angeles Rams. He was later placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in December 2020 before being activated later that month.
In August 2021, McKivitz was waived by the 49ers and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted back to the active roster on November 10, 2021, spending the bulk of his second season in a developmental role along the offensive line.
49ers Breakthrough (2022–2023)
McKivitz re-signed with the 49ers on March 10, 2022, and continued to build his résumé. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 4 of that season and was placed on injured reserve on October 8, 2022, before being activated on November 12. Despite the injury setback, he remained part of the team’s offensive line plans.
On March 9, 2023, McKivitz signed a two-year contract extension with the 49ers. That summer, after starter Mike McGlinchey departed in free agency for the Denver Broncos, McKivitz stepped into the starting lineup. During the 2023 season, McKivitz started all 17 games and was a starter in Super Bowl LVIII. The 49ers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 25–22 in overtime, but McKivitz’s full-season workload cemented his role as a fixture along the offensive front.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2023–Present)
McKivitz’s emergence as a full-time starter continued into 2024. On March 13, 2024, he signed a one-year, $7 million contract extension with the 49ers that ran through the 2025 season, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his development. He has remained a regular presence along the offensive line during this stretch.
On September 8, 2025, McKivitz signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension with the 49ers that runs through the 2028 season. The deal underscored his standing as a long-term piece of the team’s blocking scheme and signaled continued investment in his role.
Driving Style and Strengths
McKivitz plays with the kind of size, length, and movement skills that fit a zone-based rushing attack. He has shown comfort at both left and right tackle, demonstrating the flexibility to handle multiple spots along the offensive line. His work in pass protection has been a key area of growth, and his durability through full 17-game seasons has strengthened his standing with the coaching staff.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of McKivitz’s career is his selection as a starter in Super Bowl LVIII following the 2023 season, a milestone that highlighted his rise from fifth-round pick to playoff cornerstone. His 2019 college honors, including second-team All-American and Big 12 co-Offensive Lineman of the Year, also stand out as defining achievements.
Colton McKivitz Career Wins
Colton McKivitz’s career has been defined less by individual win totals and more by steady contributions to team success across multiple levels of football. From his decorated senior season at West Virginia to his starting role on a Super Bowl-contending 49ers squad, he has been part of winning environments throughout his career.
Professional Highlights
McKivitz’s first career NFL win as a starter came on November 29, 2020, when the 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 23–20. He went on to start every game of the 2023 regular season and postseason, including Super Bowl LVIII, where the 49ers finished as runners-up to the Kansas City Chiefs. His continued presence in the starting lineup through the 2024 and 2025 seasons reflects his sustained value to the organization.
Colton McKivitz Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about McKivitz’s family background are limited. He grew up in Belmont, Ohio, and his early athletic development took place within the local high school system, where his impact was significant enough that Union Local retired his jersey number in 2019.
Personal Life
McKivitz has kept much of his personal life private. There is no widely confirmed public information regarding a spouse, partner, or children at this stage of his career.
2025 Season Performance
McKivitz entered the 2025 season as a returning starter on the 49ers offensive line, fresh off a one-year extension signed in March 2024. His familiarity with the team’s scheme and his durability through full 17-game seasons positioned him as a steady contributor along the front.
On September 8, 2025, McKivitz signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension with the 49ers that runs through the 2028 season, a clear indication that his 2025 performance continued to align with the organization’s long-term plans. The deal reflected both his on-field reliability and his role as a core piece of the offensive line.
Looking ahead, McKivitz’s combination of experience at left and right tackle, his run-blocking background, and his pass-protection growth make him a central figure in the 49ers’ blocking plans. With multiple seasons remaining on his contract, he is expected to remain a fixture along the offensive line as the team pursues another Super Bowl run.