Tag: Jalen Kitna

Former Gators QB moves on to UAB after felony charges dropped

Jalen Kitna found a new home with Trent Dilfer at UAB.

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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Ex-Florida QB provides insight into now-dropped felony charges

“I am determined to use my story to help others avoid the pitfalls of naïve technology use.”

Jalen Kitna saw his dreams of being a starting collegiate quarterback take a major blow last November when he was arrested on felony child pornography charges. Two days later, head coach Billy Napier dismissed him from Florida’s football program.

Although the charges were ultimately dropped, the damage had already been done to the young student-athlete’s reputation. Kitna entered the transfer portal once his criminal case was settled last month, but he has yet to sign on with another program.

The son of retired NFL quarterback Jon Kitna released a lengthy statement on Friday through a sports management company, calling the initial charges “not accurate,” while also citing a forensic investigation found no inappropriate material on any of his electronic devices. The former Gator also added that he went through an extensive psychosexual evaluation that determined that he is “in the lowest possible percentile for likelihood to commit a crime.”

“I understand that there are many who will never get past the original headlines, but for those who want to look at this objectively, I hope this will provide details to see the truth,” Kitna said. “I know with the continued love and support of those close to me — and hopefully some understanding by others — I’ll have a chance at the life that I dreamed of and worked so hard for.

“I am determined to use my story to help others avoid the pitfalls of naïve technology use.”

Kitna accepted a plea deal in early July that dismissed the five felony child pornography charges, instead pleading guilty to two counts of disorderly conduct, second-degree misdemeanors. A circuit judge placed Kitna on six months probation for each count but did not levy a fine or require him to register as a sex offender.

“I had hoped this outcome would exonerate me and provide understanding,” Kitna said. “The reaction has been quite the opposite and created even more confusion, with people making judgments based only on the initial reports, which didn’t tell the whole story.

“My family and I emphatically believe child pornography should not exist in our world. I did not commit a crime of this nature. The facts of the investigation and the resolution show this. I hope this statement will bring clarity to all those who care to know the truth.”

Gainesville Police arrested Kitna on two counts of distribution of child exploitation material and three counts of possession of child pornography. GPD indicated that the defendant shared images of young girls being sexually abused via a social media platform, which Kitna now says were found on a “legal site.”

Florida has since lifted Kitna’s ban from campus. He remained enrolled in virtual classes while living at home with his parents in Burleson, Texas.

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Ex-Florida QB enters transfer portal after plea bargain in felony case

With his legal issues now resolved, Kitna will seek greener pastures elsewhere as he looks to get back into the college game.

Jalen Kitna, a former quarterback on the University of Florida’s football team, reached a plea deal last Wednesday that reduced his charges from five felony child pornography counts to just two second-degree counts of breach of peace stemming from his arrest for child pornography in late November 2022.

Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge Susan Miller-Jones gave Kitna six months of probation for each count without issuing fines or requiring the 20-year-old to register as a sex offender, which opened the door for the Lone Star State passer to continue his collegiate career.

According to On3’s Matt Zenitz, the 6-foot-4-inch, 208-pound son of NFL QB Jon Kitna entered the NCAA transfer portal on Monday. Prior to the announcement, Kitna completed online classes focused on advertising during the spring semester at UF but the university has since banned him from campus until November 2025.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the news involving Jalen Kitna,” UF’s University Athletic Association said in a statement on the day of his arrest. “These are extremely serious charges and the University of Florida and the UAA have zero tolerance for such behavior.”

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Former Florida quarterback reaches plea deal on felony charges

The die has been cast in the Jalen Kitna case.

Jalen Kitna, a former quarterback on the University of Florida’s football team, will be charged with two counts of breach of peace stemming from his arrest for child pornography in late November 2022, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The plea deal reduces his charges from five felony child pornography counts to just two second-degree misdemeanor crimes.

Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge Susan Miller-Jones gave Kitna six months of probation for each count without issuing fines or requiring the 20-year-old to register as a sex offender.

The erstwhile member of the Gators 2021 recruiting class is the son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna, who played 14 seasons in the National Football League split between the Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, from 1997 to 2011.

Following the decision made at the Alachua County courthouse in Gainesville, Florida, Kitna offered the following statement.

“I want to start off by apologizing to my family, my friends and those that care about me. Their support through this whole ordeal has meant a lot to me. The hardest thing about this whole process has been seeing how it’s affected them.

“The valuable lessons that I’ve learned through this whole deal have been very helpful. I’m looking forward to applying those things and moving forward.”

Kitna completed online classes focused on advertising during the spring semester at UF but the university has since banned him from campus until November 2025.

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Steve Spurrier comments on Florida’s 2023 quarterback situation

Spurrier commented on the Florida Gators’ QB room heading into 2023.

If there’s one person whose opinion on the Florida Gators quarterback situation holds weight, it’s Steve Spurrier’s.

On a recent episode of The Tailgate, the Head Ball Coach brought up a conversation he had with Shane Matthews, one of Spurrier’s former quarterbacks when he coached the Orange and Blue back in the 1990s. In that conversation, Matthews asked the HBC what he thought of the Gators’ quarterbacks room. His response was one only the most important figure in Florida football history could give.

Here is what the HBC said about the Gators’ current quarterbacks room.

“I was talking to Shane and he said, ‘I’m not sure we have a great quarterback right now,’”

“I said, Shane, they told me that when I took the Florida job back in ’90. You gotta find somebody and coach the heck out of him.”

To provide some context, the Florida quarterbacks room could be confused for a carousel over the last few months. 2022 starter Anthony Richardson will not be returning after declaring for the 2023 NFL draft. [autotag]Jalen Kitna[/autotag] was arrested and dismissed from the team. That left former Ohio State quarterback [autotag]Jack Miller III[/autotag] to take the field for the Gators’ 30-3 Las Vegas Bowl loss to Oregon State.

[autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag], a five-star quarterback prospect from California, signed his letter of intent in December and was expected to arrive on campus after playing in the All-American Bowl in Orlando. After he did not arrive on campus, a national saga played out with a reported $13 million name, image, and likeness deal that fell through at the center. He was released from his letter of intent in January and has since enrolled at Arizona State.

Add in Wisconsin transfer [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag], and the Gators went from a quarterbacks room with a projected first-rounder and five-star prospect, to two former transfers and [autotag]Max Brown[/autotag], a former three-star prospect, as the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.

It seems like the Heisman Trophy winner and national championship-winning head coach is a believer in developing the talent you have on the roster. While head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] is expected to add another quarterback to the roster via the transfer portal, Spurrier may get his wish for 2023.

Whoever is brought in from the portal, the 2023 starting job is expected to come down to Mertz and Miller, two players who will have all spring to earn the job.

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Napier speaks about bringing in transfer QB Graham Mertz

24 different quarterbacks were under consideration before Florida landed on Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz.

Billy Napier has done a great job of bringing in talent over the last two cycles to shape the Gators’ roster in his image and he has been able to do that at almost every position. Except for Napier’s one Achilles heel, which has been the quarterback position. But when you break it down, it really isn’t his fault.

Napier was given a gift from [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] when he inherited [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] as his starting quarterback. However, since the end of the 2022 season, the Gators’ quarterback room has been a revolving door of players exiting and entering for different reasons. Richardson declared for the NFL draft, [autotag]Jalen Kitna[/autotag] was arrested and dismissed from the program, former 2023 commit Marcus Stokes has his offer revoked after a video of him using a racial slur emerged, and everyone is familiar with the [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag] saga that ended with Rashada enrolling at Arizona State.

Needless to say, Napier has been dealt bad hand after bad hand with his quarterback room.

That brings us to Wisconsin transfer quarterback [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag]. When speaking about the process that led to bringing Mertz to Gainesville, Napier said that the program evaluated 24 different quarterbacks. The Rashada situation seems to have been independent of bringing in a signal caller from the transfer portal, as Rashada would have given the Gators four scholarship quarterbacks. That number is consistent with other FBS programs’ quarterback rooms.

The Orange and Blue are now left with just three scholarship quarterbacks, two of which arrived in Gainesville via the transfer portal. While Gator Nation waits for [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag] to arrive on campus in 2024, Napier will have to bring in another transfer, just to have enough depth to feel comfortable throughout the season. Napier even said as much, mentioning that the Gators would look for another signal caller when the portal opens up again in May.

Regardless of who Florida decides to bring in, the starting job for 2023 is expected to be a two-man race between Mertz and former Ohio State transfer [autotag]Jack Miller[/autotag]. Miller was the starter in Florida’s 30-3 loss to Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl.

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Billy Napier open to boosting quarterback room this spring

We’re not sure who it will be and where he will come from, but the Gators are in need of some help in the quarterback room.

What was once a promising quarterback room in Gainesville has fallen like a house of cards over the past couple of months following the arrest of freshman [autotag]Jalen Kitna[/autotag] on child pornography charges, 2023 commit [autotag]Marcus Stokes[/autotag]’ rescinded scholarship offer after a video surfaced of him using a racial slur on social media, and the NIL fiasco that followed [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag] saga.

Man, it has not been a fun time for the Gator Nation of late, especially with star quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] heading into the NFL draft despite still being a bit wet behind the ears.

Now that the 2023 recruiting cycle is officially over, head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and his army of staffers are now turning their attention to the college football transfer portal in hopes of finding another scholarship quarterback to help add some depth to a thin corps. Essentially, there is a job opportunity open under center and the next month or two will serve as auditions for the part.

“I think if there’s an opportunity, there’s a player that passes evaluation,” Napier said according to Swamp247, “we certainly would be in the market for another player there.”

The Gators have already started the search for a new signal-caller, first checking in on former LSU Tigers QB Walker Howard, a former four-star prospect out of Lafayette (Louisiana) St. Thomas More in 2022 who was buried on the Tigers’ depth chart last season. However, 247Sports’ sources suggest that Florida has garnered very little interest from the young quarterback.

Also mentioned was former Washington quarterback Sam Huard, who was ranked No. 12 overall, No. 3 among quarterbacks and No. 249 among all prospects according to the 247Sports composite coming out of high school. However, the legacy football player chose California Polytechnic State instead.

The Gators currently have Wisconsin Badgers transfer [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag], [autotag]Jack Miller III[/autotag] (a former Ohio State Buckeyes transfer) and [autotag]Max Brown[/autotag] as the three scholarship passers on the roster. Time will tell if Napier and Co. can pull off the coup and bring another solid talent in to beef up the competition.

Gators get commitment from this 2023 quarterback recruit

The Gators added some depth in their quarterback room with this commitment.

The quarterback room has been an absolute nightmare for Florida football after the departure of [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] to the NFL draft as well as seemingly endless issues with other players. With [autotag]Jalen Kitna[/autotag] kicked off the team for child pornography charges, the revocation of 2023 commit [autotag]Marcus Stokes[/autotag]’ scholarship offer after a video of him using a racial slur surfaced, and the [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag] saga to boot, it is a tough time to be a signal-caller for the Orange and Blue.

One of [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s solutions to patch up his fledgling corps was the addition of Wisconsin transfer [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag], who grades a strong “meh” among both the media and fanbase. Not content with just that addition, the program added some more depth under center with the commitment of two-star quarterback [autotag]Jordan Gile[/autotag] out of Chattanooga (Tennessee) Christian School in the 2023 class, who made his announcement on Twitter Tuesday night.

There is not much available as far as scouting evaluations on the incoming freshman but you can check out his Hudl senior highlight video below.

Gile is ranked No. 162 at his position nationally and No. 86 overall in his state according to 247Sports — good enough for a two-star rating. Neither On3 nor Rivals have any data on him.

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Gators’ 2023 quarterback status one of biggest stories to follow

The Gators are not alone in their QB issues but things might be worse in Gainesville than elsewhere.

Things have been rough for the Florida football program of late, especially at the most important position on the field: quarterback. With [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] departing to the NFL draft along with the drama that has followed a pair of Gators commits, [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and Co. cannot be feeling too confident right now.

However, the Orange and Blue are not the only program undergoing turmoil with their signal-caller corps as they join four other schools in Sports Illustrated writer Richard Johnson’s list of top undetermined QB situations heading into 2023. Here is what he has to offer on Florida, which will come across as rather obvious.

There may not be a more unclear quarterback situation in the country than what Anthony Richardson leaves behind at Florida. As the [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag] saga continues behind the scenes, the Gators have Wisconsin transfer [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] and bowl game starter [autotag]Jack Miller[/autotag] on the depth chart. That’s a relatively bare cupboard unless Florida plans to hit on someone in the spring transfer portal cycle.

Not only have the Gators faced the above-mentioned attrition under center, but they also lost [autotag]Jalen Kitna[/autotag] after he was charged with possession of child pornography as well as [autotag]Marcus Stokes[/autotag], who was dismissed from the program after a video of him using a racial slur surfaced on social media. Suffice it to say, it has not been a great few months in Gainesville.

Florida fans will get their first chance to assess the quarterback situation for themselves if and when the Gators play in their annual Orange and Blue game, for which a date and time has yet to be set.

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Florida a ‘serious contender’ for this top transfer portal QB

The Gators are considered “serious contenders” for Grayson McCall, one of the top transfer QBs available in the portal.

The Florida Gators are in the mix for former Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall, with On3’s Pete Nakos reporting Monday that the Orange and Blue are “serious contenders” for the transfer quarterback.

According to On3’s transfer portal rankings, McCall is the No. 4 quarterback in the portal and the No. 19 overall. He is behind recent Kentucky commit and former NC State quarterback Devin Leary (No. 1), former Virginia quarterback Brendan Armstrong (No. 2), and former Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders (No. 3).

Florida is in desperate need of reinforcements in its quarterback room. With [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] declaring for the NFL draft and [autotag]Jalen Kitna[/autotag]’s dismissal from the football program, Florida is left with just two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster: [autotag]Jack Miller III[/autotag], who started the Las Vegas Bowl game (and was underwhelming in his Orange and Blue debut) and freshman [autotag]Max Brown[/autotag], a former three-star prospect from Tulsa, Oklahoma. [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag], a top prospect in the 2023 class and Florida commit, would be the third scholarship quarterback on the roster.

McCall would be a good fit for [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and his offensive system. Having started 34 games across four seasons at Coastal Carolina, McCall is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation amassing over 9,000 scrimmage yards and tallying 94 touchdowns.

A three-time Sun Belt player of the year, Napier is familiar with McCall from his time at Louisiana. Bringing in a top transfer quarterback to compete with Miller and, potentially, Rashada after he enrolls for the spring semester would be a big boost for the program.

Early signing day is Wednesday, Dec. 21. The Florida Gators currently have the No. 9 class in 2023, with 17 of their 21 commitments coming from four-star prospects, according to On3.

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