Florida football: Kyle Pitts adds to the Gator tight end legacy

Florida football had a great year so far. I mean, 7-1, heading into one of the biggest games of the year is nothing to shake a stick at.

The Florida football offense has been running all year, even when the leader of the team, Feleipe Franks, went down. There have been many bright spots on this offense. After franks went down Kyle Trask came in and did nothing but upgrade the offense.

The running game has had its issues so far but each game they seem to have at least one big play. The line has had an okay year protecting the quarterbacks but has had a few issues opening holes for runners. Let’s not forget the receiving group, these guys are the best in the country.

They have size, speed, and experience and they have had big games all along the way. But one, the tight end Kyle Pitts, has been a rising star and will continue a tradition of great tight ends at Florida.

Kyle Pitts on the rise

Pitts is a sophomore TE that until this year had only three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Not bad for a game but that was his total for the year last season.  He had great potential but was learning and was behind more experienced players.  Who could have seen what type of weapon he has become?

When the season began he started out of the gate a little slow. He had five catches and 36 yards in the first two games. He really was showing more on the blocking side as he is a good run blocker. Then as each game went on you could see just how comfortable he was in the offense. When that happens it tends to have an effect on the QB as he can now depend on you.

Then in the Kentucky game, Franks went down and Trask came in. Pitts went on to have 63 yards and a long catch of 30 yards. He seems to be open whenever needed, and his magic with Trask just seemed to be natural.

Against Tennessee, he came down with 62 yards and a touchdown. Again you could see that whoever was guarding him was not enough.

They use a cornerback on him, and he just out muscles him. They use a linebacker and he just outruns them. He started to become a matchup that the opponent must account for.

Against Towson, He grabbed two touchdowns and looked about as good as any TE in the country. His routs have become clean and his size and speed are unstoppable.  It was clear that Florida football had another great TE.

Big game star

Then it was time to get to the meat of the schedule, the big boys of the SEC. Going into the game against  Auburn it was known that Pitts was now a vital part of the offense.

With all the great receivers on the Gators, the matchup for the opposing team on Pitts was critical.  Auburn has a couple really good DB’s and the question would be, who covers Pitts?

Once again it did not matter, as Pitts went on to dominate the game. Trask just seems to find Pitts whenever he needed to make a play. With eight catches for 65 yards, he got everything he wanted. Big catch after big catch and he helped Florida football to a big victory over the Tigers.

https://twitter.com/GatorsFB/status/1184136851856093184

He continued again against LSU as he seems to be un-guardable, a matchup nightmare. He took LSU for 108 yards and another long catch of 28. With each passing game, he gets better and he will be a weapon that any team the Gators play they will have to account for.  He comes up with big third-down receptions that keep drives alive.

Florida football has had a long tradition of great tight ends like Jordan Reed (2012). Pitts is only adding to that tradition. For the second straight week, Pitts was named Honorable mention for the John Mackey Tight End of the Week.

He entered last week ranked second among FBS tight ends in receptions and receiving yards. His 30 receptions now lead all tight ends in the FBS.

One of the brightest spots on a good Florida football offense, Kyle Pitts continues a legacy of tight ends at the University of Florida.

No. 7 Florida football is off this week and will return to action next week against No. 10 Georgia in Jacksonville.