Jalen Kitna, son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna, is joining Trent Dilfer’s roster at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The former three-star recruit will enroll as a sophomore.
Kitna began his college football career at the University of Florida. He was later dismissed from the program following an arrest on disturbing felony charges. Those charges were later dropped.
While serving as a backup quarterback for the Gators, Kitna was arrested on five child pornography charges at the end of November in 2022. Police were tipped off about an internet user that distributed an image of “child sexual abuse material” on the social media platform Discord.
All of the charges were dropped in July. Kitna pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of breach of peace and served six months probation.
Now, five months later, he is expected to compete for the starting quarterback job at UAB during spring and summer practices. Kitna has been admitted to the university and will take an official visit next week.
Dilfer, who just finished his first year as head coach of the Blazers, issued a statement to ESPN. He said that the coaching staff and the university did “extensive due diligence” while reviewing their newest quarterback’s application to the school, and believes that the past is in the past.
Initial headlines can be hard to get past, even if they don’t hold up to the scrutiny of the legal process over time. 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.
— UAB head coach Trent Dilfer, via Alex Scarborough of ESPN
Athletic director Mark Ingram also offered comment.
Jalen has worked diligently to complete his six-month probation and participate in activities to grow and mature as a young man. 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.
— UAB AD Mark Ingram, via Alex Scarborough of ESPN
Kitna provided some clarity as well. He said 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-context to second-degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges related to those decisions.
— Jalen Kitna, via Alex Scarborough of ESPN
According to Kitna, he received multiple offers to continue his football career at multiple different programs. UAB was ultimately the right fit.
I firmly believe that UAB is the perfect fit for me. 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.
— Jalen Kitna, via Alex Scarborough of ESPN
The Blazers do not have a definite signal-caller for 2024. It is very possible, if not likely, that Kitna will take the reins right away.
He and Trent Dilfer make for a rather controversial duo in northern Alabama. But don’t worry, the latter did “extensive due diligence” on the former!