After suffering an injury in the third quarter vs. New Mexico State, Tennessee football starting tight end Miles Kitselman has been ruled out of the Vols’ trip to Florida. He went down on a rush by Peyton Lewis that resulted in Kitselman taking a hit to his leg.
Kitselman would not return to the game after the injury. The Vols won 42-9 with Kitselman notching no stats in his 34 snaps during the game.
On the season, Kitselman has posted 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 20 receptions. This is his final year of eligibility after he was given one more due to the junior college ruling paved by Diego Pavia. It’s his second year with Tennessee after transferring in from Alabama, as well.
In his first year with the Vols, he earned the role of starting tight end over Holden Staes. He recorded 22 receptions for 301 yards and four touchdowns along with a rushing score. Staes transferred out following the season, ending up at Indiana.
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Without Kitselman, it will likely mean an increased load for Ethan Davis. The third-year tight end has battled injury this season, but recently returned to health. He has caught nine passes for 100 yards and a touchdown this season, but has become a much-improved blocker.
The other option is freshman Jack Van Dorselaer. He has proven to be an elite blocking tight end, which has earned him significant play time off the bench in his first season of college football. If UT elects to go for a better pass catcher, fellow freshman DaSaahn Brame has also got some snaps this year and could be an option.
Kickoff against Florida is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on ABC. A win for Tennessee would be the first in Gainesville since 2003.
