Former Mountaineers Excelled in Week 3 NFL Action
Several former West Virginia football players made significant contributions during the third week of the 2026 NFL season.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Football
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Former West Virginia standouts delivered strong performances across the league during Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season. While the college program faced a 41-24 loss to Oklahoma State at Milan Puskar Stadium, NFL professionals with West Virginia roots impacted their respective games.
Why it matters
These performances highlight the continued success of West Virginia alumni as they transition to professional roles in the NFL. Tracking their individual statistical output provides local fans with a way to follow program graduates at the highest level of competition.
Geno Smith completed 31 of 37 passes for 383 yards, while Colton McKivitz earned a 75.7 pass-blocking grade. Additionally, Rasul Douglas recorded four tackles and Dante Stills earned a 60.2 grade with two pressures.
The players
Geno Smith
He is a veteran NFL quarterback who previously played college football at West Virginia.
Zach Frazier
He is an NFL offensive lineman who played for the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Colton McKivitz
He is a professional offensive lineman currently playing for the San Francisco 49ers.
Rasul Douglas
He is an NFL defensive back who played at West Virginia before beginning his professional career.
Dante Stills
He is a professional defensive lineman who developed his skills with the West Virginia program.
The details
Geno Smith led his team in a 31-24 victory against the Detroit Lions, while Rasul Douglas contributed to the Washington Commanders win over the Seattle Seahawks. Furthermore, the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line, featuring Zach Frazier, demonstrated improved play during their win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Timeline
The third week of the 2026 NFL season took place in September 2026.
The Big Picture
The performance of these athletes is evaluated using the Pro Football Focus player grading system to measure their effectiveness against established NFL benchmarks. This approach allows for a standardized assessment of former West Virginia players within the competitive landscape of the league.
The San Francisco 49ers remain undefeated with a 3-0 record, bolstered by strong blocking performances from linemen like Colton McKivitz. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers saw an improvement in offensive line coordination, directly impacting their win column during this week of play.
The takeaway
Following former players offers a way to gauge the effectiveness of college-level training programs in preparing athletes for the NFL. Readers can observe how professional performance metrics translate into team success during the regular season.
Further reading
For more on the current season, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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