Kyle Pitts becomes first tight end finalist for Biletnikoff Award

Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts becomes the fifth Gator to be a finalist for the Biletnikoff and the first since Jabar Gaffney in 2001.

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Kyle Pitts had a mind-blowing statistical season for a tight end. He made 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns, which is even more impressive considering injuries held him out of three of Florida’s 11 games. Naturally, his performance on the field this year earned him a nomination for the Mackey Award for the best tight end in the nation.

Pitts is all but guaranteed to win that award, but his eyes may be on an even greater prize. He was nominated for the Biletnikoff Award, generally given to the best wide receiver in the nation. He’s the first tight end ever to be a finalist for the award.

He becomes the fifth Gator to be a finalist for the Biletnikoff and the first since Jabar Gaffney in 2001.

His competition for this award is a bit stiffer than for the Mackey, though. His fellow finalists are Alabama receiver Devonta Smith and Ole Miss’ Elijah Moore, both of whom are having impressive statistical seasons.

Smith is regarded by many as the nation’s best player, and he has 98 catches for 1,511 yards and 17 touchdowns. He is almost guaranteed to win the award, and Moore will likely finish second, as he is having an impressive season in his own right. He has 86 catches for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns.

It’s unlikely Pitts comes home with both the Mackey and Biletnikoff, but being a finalist for an award historically reserved for wide receivers is yet another mark of the historic season he had.

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