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Florida Football: Timeline of Jalen Kitna’s involvement with Gators

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna (11) against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna (11) against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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News broke yesterday that Florida football backup QB Jalen Kitna had been arrested by the Gainesville Police Department for multiple felony counts related to a child pornography bust. The following is a timeline of Kitna’s involvement with the Florida Gators.

Florida Football: Three-star prospect

Before yesterday’s arrest, Jalen Kitna was most well known for being the son of former NFL QB Jon Kitna. A three-star prospect out of Texas, Jalen had offers out of high school from Oregon State, UAB, Georgia Tech, and Arizona among others.

Kitna originally committed to Boston College on July 29, 2019, but decommitted on January 5, 2020. The Gators offered Kitna four days later and he eventually committed to Florida football on May 26 of that year.

For the 2021 season, Kitna did not see any playing time and redshirted.

Coming into the 2022 season, Anthony Richardson was the known starter, but the backup QB position was less than solid. Kitna did appear in the 2022 Spring Game for Florida football but did not have a great showing.

Jack Miller, a transfer from Ohio State, was presumed to be the backup to Richardson for 2022 but a thumb injury sustained in training camp required surgery, and Kitna was promoted to the backup position.

Kitna first saw the field on October 2 during Florida’s blowout win over Eastern Washington. He entered in the second quarter when Richardson had to temporarily leave, and on his first pass, he threw a 22-yard completion to Ricky Pearsall. Kitna would re-enter in the second half and finished 8 for 12 passing for 152 yards and one TD.

Kitna threw two passes against South Carolina on 11/12 and entered for a couple of snaps against FSU, including a 4th down run, after Richardson had his helmet knocked off.

Florida Football: Kitna was in the mix for 2023

If one were to dive into Florida football Twitter, there was a segment of fans that wanted to see Kitna play in 2022 over Richardson. With it widely believed that Richardson will declare for the NFL draft, there was a pathway for Kitna to be the starter for Florida’s bowl game this year.

He was also in the mix to start in 2023 though it was long short. Four-star prospect Jaden Rashada will be on campus in Gainesville next season as a true freshman and there are rumblings that Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman wants to transfer to Florida.

News broke however yesterday afternoon that Kitna was arrested by Gainesville Police. He was arrested on five charges related to child pornography, including two counts of distribution. Kitna admitted to police he shared images he found online on a Discord server.

The charges could result in up to 15 years in prison.

Florida football has suspended Kitna and the UAA released the following statement:

"“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the news involving Jalen Kitna. These are extremely serious charges and the University of Florida and the UAA have zero tolerance for such behavior. Jalen has been suspended indefinitely.”"

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