After suffering an injury in the third quarter vs. New Mexico State, Tennessee football starting tight end Miles Kitselman is going to miss the final two games of the regular season. He did not play at Florida and is ruled out of Saturday’s contest with Vanderbilt.
This also means Kitselman won’t be able to play in his Senior Day game at Neyland Stadium. His position coach, Alec Abeln, gave his thoughts on what Kitselman meant to the program.
“It’s a blessing. It really is,” Abeln said on Tuesday. “And certainly changed my life for the better and changed our room for the better. Changed this program for the better. Can’t talk enough about just who he is as a human being. Who he is as a teammate. Will probably be a little emotional on Saturday, knowing it’s his last time in Neyland. But really appreciate the work he’s done and continues to do for this team and I’m excited for the future for him.”
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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.
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. In the win over Florida, Davis proved to be a valuable option. He logged five receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown in the road win.
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 gotten some snaps this year and could be an option.
Kickoff against Vanderbilt is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN.
