Former Florida Gators quarterback [autotag]Jalen Kitna[/autotag] has found a new home now that the dust from felony charges stemming from his arrest back in November 2022 on child pornography charges.
The sophomore and son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna will join another former NFL quarterback at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in second-year head coach Trent Dilfer. ESPN spoke with a university spokesperson after the announcement, during which Dilfer and athletic director Mark Ingram noted that “extensive due diligence” was performed in reviewing the younger Kitna’s interest in their program.
“Initial headlines can be hard to get past, even if they don’t hold up to the scrutiny of the legal process over time,” Dilfer said. “UAB and the Department of Athletics have performed extensive due diligence, and I have personally looked at the facts of this case and the thorough investigation, and I’ve had candid conversations with Jalen and his parents.
“I firmly believe Jalen learned valuable lessons and will carry himself well and show great character as a member of our community. Otherwise, he would not be at UAB.”
“Jalen has worked diligently to complete his six-month probation and participate in activities to grow and mature as a young man,” Ingram offered.
“He has committed to continued engagement with a robust support system at home and on campus, and I am confident in the decisions made by the institution and Department of Athletics to both support admission to UAB and to make available the appropriate guidance, resources and support services to promote Jalen’s growth and success.”
In a statement to ESPN, Kitna noted that he is “grateful for the opportunity.”
“I acknowledge that I made naive decisions that I deeply regret and have since learned from. As a result, I took responsibility by pleading no-contest to second-degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges related to those decisions,” he noted.
“I firmly believe that UAB is the perfect fit for me,” he said. “I consider myself fortunate to be in Birmingham, surrounded by an incredible support system, having found a church family, and being able to take advantage of the numerous resources offered by the university.”
Kitna also said that he is in good standing at UF and had “multiple offers to play football from different schools” on the table following his dismissal.
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