Gators tight end Kyle Pitts declared for the 2021 NFL Draft via Twitter Sunday.
Pitts will forgo his senior season and extra year of eligibility, granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for the chance to play professional football.
“After much prayer and consideration and speaking with my family, I will forgo my senior season and enter the 2021 NFL Draft and will not be playing in the bowl game,” Pitts wrote in his graphic.
“Dreams are turning into a reality,” he tweeted along with his announcement.
Pitts, half of Florida’s famous Kyle-to-Kyle tandem, ranked fourth among FBS players in receiving touchdowns (11) this season before the SEC Championship Game Saturday. Then, the Philadelphia native snagged seven receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown against the Crimson Tide. This marked the tight end’s third 100-yard game this season.
Pitts’ 12 total touchdown receptions led the Gators this season, despite him only playing in eight of Florida’s 11 games. The junior missed two games due to a concussion procured against Georgia and a lingering injury in UF’s upset loss to LSU.
Even still, Pitts inscribed his name in Gators’ history books Saturday night, breaking the school record for receiving yards by a tight end (previously 1,382 yards by 2007-2009 tight end Aaron Hernandez).
He finished his career at Florida with 100 receptions, 1,492 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.
“I am eager to pursue my dreams of playing in the NFL, but I will always be a Gator,” Pitts wrote. “84 out!”
Contact Payton Titus at ptitus@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @petitus25.
Payton is a sophomore journalism major from Jacksonville, Florida. She is The Alligator's Spring 2021 digital managing editor. Her previous roles include softball beat writer, football beat writer and online sports editor.
