Kyle Pitts opts out of bowl game, enters NFL draft

Kyle Pitts is looking ahead to his NFL career. Gainesville Sun-USA TODAY NETWORK

Florida's Kyle Pitts to enter 2021 NFL Draft after opting out of bowl game

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 12/20/20

Florida Gators star tight end Kyle Pitts made a major decision on Sunday by declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft, deciding not to participate in his team's bowl game.

Dreams are turning into reality.. #ForeverFlorida pic.twitter.com/lfNAfZMu2m
— Kyle Pitts (@kylepitts__) December 20, 2020

Pitts had been dealing with an injury that kept him out of the lineup during Week 15 against LSU, but he returned for the SEC Championship Game against Alabama, reeling in seven catches for 129 yards and a touchdown in a 52-46 loss to the Crimson Tide.

The Philadelphia native finished the year with 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight games.

Pitts is seen as the best tight end of the 2021 draft class. He's expected to be a first-round selection and could go as high as seventh overall, per Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN. Seeing as how no tight ends were selected in the first round of last year's draft, Pitts could come off the board very quickly.

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90.

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