Former Florida QB Jalen Kitna will start for UAB in Week 6

Jalen Kitna started for UAB in its Week 6 contest against Tulane on Saturday afternoon.

Kitna began his career in Florida but was dismissed from the program after he was arrested and charged with multiple counts of child pornography in November 2022. Florida has reportedly banned Kitna from its campus until November 2025.

Charges against Kitna were later dropped after he reached a deal with prosecutors. As part of the plea agreement, Kitna pleaded guilty to multiple counts of disorderly conduct. According to an Associated Press report, Kitna was not required to register as a sex offender.

Kitna did not join a college football program in 2023 but committed to UAB last December. UAB head coach Trent Dilfer told ESPN that the university and athletic department conducted “extensive due diligence” before deciding to add him to the program.

“Initial headlines can be difficult to overcome, even if over time they fail to withstand the scrutiny of the legal process,” Dilfer told ESPN after Kitna committed to his program. “UAB and the Department of Athletics have conducted extensive due diligence, and I have personally reviewed the facts of this case, the thorough investigation, and had candid discussions with Jalen and his parents. I have every confidence that Jalen has learned valuable lessons and will do well and demonstrate great character as a member of our community. Otherwise he wouldn’t be at UAB.”

Kitna replaces usual UAB starter Jacob Zeno, who is out this week with an injury. Kitna has not played a game since the 2022 season.

Kitna is the son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna. Dilfer and Kitna did not overlap in their NFL careers, but both quarterbacks played under Mike Holmgren with the Seattle Seahawks.