When NFL coaches and scouts approach Dan Mullen about Kyle Pitts, there are no concerns or questions. Just “oohs” and “ahhs”. The Mackey Award winner has every physical and mental attribute a team could want in a tight end after all.
Those organizations slated to pick in that 5-10 range are just hoping Pitts will still be on the board when their turn rolls around. He could be the highest tight end taken in history, and could be the first pass-catcher drafted in 2021.
“I get ‘wows’ more than asking with him, because I think he’s such a dynamic player and he has so much versatility,” said Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen. “Not only is he a great person to be around as a coach. You know, when you’re on the field and you’re around him, he’s great to be around. But I’m gonna tell you, when you’re in the meeting room and you’re designing a game plan, he’s awful fun to have and to have that little spot that you can go put up on the board and say that’s him and how are we going to move him around.”
As if everyone didn’t already know how special of a player Pitts is, he showed out at Florida’s Pro Day on Wednesday.
His measurables were off the charts, literally. With a wingspan of 83.375 inches, he had the longest of any tight end or receiver in the last 20 years.
He went on to bench press 22 reps of 225. That was two more than his trainer noted him being able to do in his workouts. He also had a nice broad jump of 10 feet and 9 inches.
Most impressively for a 6-6, 245-pound human, Pitts ran an official time of 4.44 in his first 40-yard dash. His second attempt came in just a tick slower, but still eye-popping at 4.46 seconds.
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While Pitts really didn’t have anyone left to impress, he did what he set out to do at pro day. Now, he can sit back and watch his dreams come true in the weeks ahead.
“It’s special because, just those long days, they kind of got monotonous,” Pitts said. “Training out in California and doing the same thing every day. But you know, the end goal is the best part of it, so just knowing to keep your head down, stay focused and not lose sight of the finish.”
Pitts’ incredible finish to his Florida career earned him an invite to the NFL Draft in Cleveland. While some of the top players are choosing to stay home, he plans to attend, because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and one that was taken away from a lot of players last year.
Once he gets there, he will be overjoyed no matter if his name is called at No. 5 or No. 10.
“Where the chips fall, they fall,” he said. “And God willing I am a top-five pick or a top-ten pick, then that would be something amazing for myself, and it’s only up from there.”
Mullen sees the transition being an easy one for Pitts after playing in Florida’s pro-style offense throughout his career. He said that experience plus his talent makes him a threat from the first day he steps on an NFL field.
And while Pitts is soaking up this time before his life completely changes, he already has high expectations for himself in the league.
“Once I get to the NFL, I wanna start at a high level and keep increasing every year and being able to do other things,” Pitts said. “I feel like at the end of the day, all the preparation, just through the years, I feel like at the end, I’ll be the best to ever do it.”