Former Florida QB Jalen Kitna transferring to UAB

Field Level Media|published: Sat 30th December, 12:12 2023

Eastern Washington Eagles linebacker Elijah Rodriguez (52) gets a hand on Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna (11) in the second half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, October 2, 2022. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Eastern Washington Eagles credits: Doug Engle / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna has committed to join coach Trent Dilfer's program at UAB, ESPN reported Saturday.

Kitna was kicked off the team at Florida in November 2022 after an arrest on felony charges that were later dropped.

Kitna was facing five felony counts of possessing and distributing child pornography before agreeing to a plea deal in July. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct.

He avoided jail time and was placed on six months of probation for each count. He did not have to register as a sex offender.

Dilfer and UAB athletic director Mark Ingram told ESPN that "extensive due diligence" was done while reviewing Kitna's application to the school.

A university spokesperson told ESPN that Kitna has been admitted to the school and will be on the Birmingham, Ala., campus next week for an official visit.

In a statement to ESPN published Saturday, Kitna said he was "grateful for the opportunity" at UAB.

"I acknowledge that I made naive decisions that I deeply regret and have since learned from," he said. "As a result, I took responsibility by pleading no-contest to second-degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges related to those decisions."

Kitna, the son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna, said he weighed "multiple offers" before choosing to play for the Blazers.

"I firmly believe that UAB is the perfect fit for me," the 6-foot-4 sophomore told ESPN. "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 was the backup to eventual NFL first-round pick Anthony Richardson at Florida in 2022. He appeared in four games for the Gators and threw for 181 yards and one touchdown.

Kitna was a three-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class coming out of Burleson, Texas. He was ranked as the No. 55 quarterback in the country by the 247 Sports composite.

—Field Level Media