Pitts became the highest-drafted TE in NFL history, while Toney is the first Florida WR to be drafted in the first round since 2009.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Former Gators tight end Kyle Pitts was selected fourth overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft Thursday night by the Atlanta Falcons, while wide receiver Kadarius Toney was drafted 20th overall by the New York Giants.
Pitts became the highest-drafted tight end in the common draft era.
“It means everything to be drafted in the top 10, first round, it’s something special,” Pitts said. “And to be the highest ever, that’s something that nobody can ever take from me.”
The 2020 Mackey Award recipient was also the first SEC tight end to be drafted in the top 10, and just the seventh to go in the first round since 1967. Nationally, Pitts became the 14th tight end to be selected in the first 10 picks and the second to go in the top 5.
“I been waiting on that call my whole life,” he said. “When I saw my phone ring, my heart dropped. Step one into the right direction. I can’t wait to get to Atlanta and start a new journey.”
A unanimous first-team All-American in 2020, Pitts quickly became the best tight end and one of the top pass catchers in the country last year with 43 receptions, 770 yards and 12 touchdowns.
His 12 receiving touchdowns in 2020 were the second-highest total by a tight end in Southeastern Conference history. His 770 yards this year ties Kirk Kirkpatrick (1990) for second on Florida’s single-season record list for receiving yards by a tight end.
“If I had to bet on a hall of famer from this draft, it would be him,” ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit said. “The most unique tight end prospect I have evaluated in 20 years. Matt Ryan just got the greatest gift of this draft… he knows exactly when to use his hands right at the end of routes to get that separation.”
Toney became the first Gators wide receiver to be selected in the first round since Percy Harvin was taken 22nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2009, and the highest-drafted since Reidel Anthony was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 16th overall pick in 1996.
“He’s just a playmaker. The New York Giants needed to add a playmaker on offense,” ESPN analyst Booger McFarland said on the draft telecast. “It takes several people to take him down.”
It’s the first time the Gators have had two offensive skill-position players drafted in the top 20 since 1996, when receiver Ike Hilliard was also selected in the first round with seventh overall pick to the Giants. Additionally, it’s the first time since 2016 (Keanu Neal and Vernon Hargreaves III) that multiple Gators were selected in the first round.
UF has now had at least one pick in every NFL Draft since 1952, the longest streak in the SEC.
Gators Tight Ends Drafted since 1967 (by pick)
Season
Rnd
Pick
Overall
Team
Player
2021
1
4
4
Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts
2004
2
8
40
Tennessee Titans
Ben Troupe
1969
2
21
47
Detroit Lions
Jim Yarbrough
2000
3
6
68
Tennessee Titans
Erron Kinney
2013
3
23
85
Washington Redskins
Jordan Reed
2010
4
15
113
New England Patriots
1983
4
24
108
Dallas Cowboys
Chris Faulkner
2009
5
17
153
Philadelphia Eagles
Cornelius Ingram
2003
5
26
161
San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Walker
1976
6
1
157
Seattle Seahawks
Alvis Darby
1983
9
5
229
San Francisco 49ers
Mike Mularkey
1977
12
3
310
Pittsburgh Steelers
Jimmy Stephens
Gators Wide Receivers Drafted in the first round since 1967 (by pick)
Season
Rnd
Pick
Overall
Team
Player
1978
1
3
3
New Orleans Saints
Wes Chandler
1997
1
7
7
New York Giants
Ike Hilliard
2000
1
10
10
Baltimore Ravens
Travis Taylor
1997
1
16
16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Reidel Anthony
2021
1
20
20
New York Giants
Kadarius Toney
2009
1
22
22
Minnesota Vikings
Percy Harvin
1987
1
27
27
Denver Broncos
Ricky Nattiel
UF Draft Notes:
* The Gators have had 12 first round picks in the last nine drafts.
* Florida has had at least a first-round pick in 13 of the last 15 years.
* UF has had 15 players selected in the top 10 of the NFL Draft since 1967, while five have been drafted in the top 5.
* Since 2007, the Gators have had 20 first-round picks, which is the fourth-most among all schools nationally.
First Rnd. Picks since 2007 (NCAA)
Rk.
College
No.
1.
Alabama
39
2.
Ohio State
24
3.
LSU
22
4.
Florida
20
5.
USC
16
6.
Clemson
16
7.
Georgia
14
8.
Florida State
12
* UF has had the fifth-most first-round draft picks (53) among NCAA schools and the second-most in the Southeastern Conference in the Common Draft era (since 1967).
First Rnd. Picks since 1967 (NCAA)
Rk.
College
No.
1.
Ohio State
72
USC
72
3.
Alabama
64
4.
Miami (FL)
62
5.
Florida
53
6.
Florida State
45
7.
Notre Dame
44
* UF ranks tied for second in the SEC and tied for 9th in the nation among schools with most players selected in the first 10 overall picks of the NFL Draft since 1967. Texas A&M’s picks prior to 2012 included.
Top 10 picks since 1967 (NCAA)
Rk.
College
No.
1.
USC
35
2.
Alabama
28
3.
Ohio State
24
4.
Penn State
19
5.
Notre Dame
17
6.
Miami (FL)
16
Oklahoma
16
8.
Texas
15
9.
Florida
14
Florida State
14
Texas A&M
14
LSU
14
13.
Georgia
12
* UF leads in-state rivals Miami and Florida state with the most players selected in the first round sicne 2010
First round picks since 2010
Rk.
College
No.
1
Florida
16
2
FSU
11
3
Miami
6
* At least one Florida player has been selected in every NFL Draft since 1952, the longest streak in SEC history.
Kyle Pitts – Atlanta Falcons, 1st Round (No. 4 overall) Complete Bio CLICK HERE<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_sports_football_roster_kyle-2Dpitts_13782&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=uC9680InM3jYP_qVGCQ2-ekgGm2gHmI4ZVEUKW4u-dw&s=lPvSDTWs7qdCJZ8CiRjSfu3RguzLb_M3mEJMP42ImrI&e= >
What they’re saying
“He’s just a matchup nightmare. You don’t have linebackers that are 6’6, 240 [Lbs] and run a 4.3. You obviously don’t have safeties that are that big… His ability to separate and his route running. This guy is 6’6 running a 4.3 and has movement after the catch.
-Louis Riddick
“If I had to bet on a hall of famer from this draft, it would be him. The most unique tight end prospect I have evaluated in 20 years. Matt Ryan just got the greatest gift of this draft… he knows exactly when to use his hands right at the end of routes to get that separation.”
– Kirk Herbstreit
KYLE PITTS TRANSCRIPTS – COURTESY OF THE ATLANTA FALCONS
On being the highest-selected tight end in NFL history:
“I’m definitely humbled. It’s a dream come true to even get drafted. To be top five, that’s something special. The first tight end (to be selected that high), I mean, I don’t even know how to put it into words. I’m just elated with joy. I can’t even put into words how excited I am.”
On his knowledge of the Falcons and how he believes he fits in in regard to in-line blocking:
“There are a lot of vets and great minds on that team, in that building. To just learn from Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, the list goes on. But to be able to come in and make an impact, is something I want to do. Blocking-wise, I’ll be ready when the day comes. First day of camp, I’ll be ready. I know Coach Smith does a great job of getting his tight ends ready. I’m eager to see how he uses me.”
On his conversations with Head Coach Arthur Smith and what it means to have a head coach with a background of coaching tight ends:
“It means everything. I get to learn from someone who played the position, coached the position. He’s biased for tight ends. I can’t wait to learn from him, take my game to another level.”
On how coaches at Florida helped create mismatches for him:
“I think Coach Mullen did a great job in moving me around, making it easy for me to get mismatched with the guys that can’t guard me. It came with a repetition, practice, great game planning. I appreciate, like I said, Coach Mullen for dialing it up, making sure when I do go out into that lineup, I’m winning my matchups and doing my part.”
On when he believed he would be a first-round pick:
“I would say at the end of the year when I started to put some thought in it. Once I declared, I felt pretty happy in myself. I’ll put the money in the pot on myself. I feel like God was going to put me in the best position. I don’t like to read the media, but seeing myself picked first round – ok, that’s a start – now, put your head back down, keep working till the draft day comes, and when that day comes then work to be a starter and be an impact on the team.”
On his choice to play collegiately at Florida:
“I would just say during high school I always knew about the SEC. I watched Florida, watched ‘Bama, watched Kentucky, Vanderbilt, all those top SEC teams, LSU. But when I started getting offers and national exposure, I was doing my research on the tight ends at these universities. I felt like I could play in the SEC in Florida. I could get a great education, maybe sit a year or come in and make an impact early. I weighed my options, prayed to God about it, I committed. I stuck with it. I don’t regret anything about it.”
On the Falcons offense and how he feels he can fit in:
“I’m just going to be a sponge in the beginning, learning from those guys who are going to be Hall of Famers. To be drafted to their team, to be able to learn from them, see how they go about the game, see how they win, how they go about their business is something I can’t wait to see. Day one, like I said, I’ll be like a sponge soaking everything up, all the knowledge I can, all the relationships I can build. I’m excited for the journey.”
On joining a team that hasn’t had the success it hoped for the past three seasons:
“I think this team’s on the rise. Coach Smith is going to turn the organization around. I feel like people may think it’s a work in progress, but I feel like we have a start. I think we’ll be ready to start the year.”
On when he had a feeling the Falcons were interested in him:
“I would say they — how can I say this? They didn’t like overly show it, I guess you’d say. Like all the other teams were, they didn’t — I can’t describe it. They didn’t give it away, I guess I should say. They weren’t throwing any hints. I was just talking to them a lot, having meetings. I was picking their brains, they were picking my brain. I didn’t have a feeling. I feel like all the conversations went well, all my interview process went well.”
On clarifying that he wasn’t aware the Falcons would select him until he got the call:
“Yes, sir.”
On any similarities between Head Coach Arthur Smith’s offense and Florida’s offense:
“Just like Coach Mullen, Coach Smith, they love their tight ends. I’m eager to see how they make motions and mismatches in the offense. I’m eager to see how also he uses his all-stars, kind of throw me in the fire.”
On his pre-draft meetings with the Falcons:
“The first couple were just relationships, seeing how I am as a person, mentally, physically, just trying to get to know me. Once we started getting into ball, watching film, getting on the board, they were trying to I guess give me a couple plays and see if I could retain them. That’s how it started. In the end it was kind of I feel like going in the right direction because I was maybe hitting on things I wanted to hit, I was showing them that I was prepared.”
On the word he would use to describe the feeling of the call:
“Surreal. To get that call, finally just walk across that stage and see my jersey and pick up that hat is something I’ve been dreaming for since I was a kid. Every year when I watch the draft, now I’m in the draft, I’m walking across that stage, it’s mind-boggling. But I’m ready for the new experience.”
On extra work he put in at Florida to work on his receiving skills:
“I didn’t really do a lot of practice or individual on the outside. But it really came after practice. That’s when me and Kyle (Trask) got our chance to get the reps that we need from the outside. I just stayed tight end all during practice. Me and him kind of had a relationship. We kind of knew coming from what we already had, what we already knew, we had good timing. It’s pretty good being versatile and having that.”
On the increased value of tight ends in today’s NFL:
“I think it’s real special because, like you said, now that the tight end position has started to evolve. They’re being used much more in the offense. Sometimes first read on some plays. To see how it’s changing, how tight ends are a mismatch, it’s kind of hard for defenses to scheme up on the offense and certain tight ends. It’s pretty special to see how the position has come, how it’s changing, will make it interesting.”
On what it will be like to play with WR Julio Jones:
“Definitely watched Julio since he was at Alabama. He’s a great route runner. A big, strong receiver. I can’t wait to pick his brain, see how he goes about his matchups in the NFL. It’s a new level. It’s not college any more. You’re going to have to use different tools to beat these DBs.”
On what makes him difficult to defend:
“I just feel versatile, being able to do different things, line up in different places, motion, playing the backfield. Someone that you just can’t say he’s just going to play on the left side or right side, just going to play receiver. Just moving around, being mobile, getting mismatches, scoring the ball.”
On whether he played defense in high school and when he began playing on offense:
“I played both sides of the ball through high school. But I never kind of liked defense. I was always an offense guy, I always loved scoring. You don’t know what I’m doing, you’re going to guess, and I’m going to win.”
On how he maintains focus day after day in practice:
“Practice is important. Reps, reps. I’m a rep guy. I love practice because I know practice is supposed to be harder than the game. Practice is hard, I’ll be prepared for the game. I won’t be winded. I’ll know my assignment, know my opponents. I’ll be ready for all four quarters.”
On his pre-draft meetings with the coaching staff and how he feels they might use him on offense:
“We didn’t go that far into depth…I’m eager to see how this goes. I think it will be a great experience.”
On what he feels the biggest challenge will be moving from college to the NFL:
“I’m excited for the speed. It’s another level of speed. I’m excited to see how these professionals play the game, match myself against them.”
I look up to Travis (Kelce), Eric (Ebron), George Kittle. Those are three guys right now that are representing the position very well. I take some of their things they’re using in the game, add it to mine. Not that I’m in the same league. They just bring it every weekend. Trying to be the best.”
Kadarius Toney – New York Giant, 1st Round (No. 20 overall) Complete Bio CLICK HERE<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_sports_football_roster_kadarius-2Dtoney_13808&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=uC9680InM3jYP_qVGCQ2-ekgGm2gHmI4ZVEUKW4u-dw&s=Q7jGSSo_TAqF68t92yiLvS79EcQMYGrZacyUqlgNDXM&e= >.
He’s a playmaker. We talked about it. The NY Giants needed to add a playmaker on the offense. I get it. But can you get a guy that has home run hitting potential. When I get you the ball in the open field you can make a play. We saw Kadarius Toney in the slot, we saw him running jet sweeps. We saw contact bounce off of him. Give him the football, it takes several people to bring you down. There is 6 guys from South Carolina and they couldn’t bring him down. He’s a playmaker, may not be the best wide receiver. Elijah Moore probably a little bit more better kept, but here’s what you have with Toney. He’s a special guy with the speed and space in the NFL now, he’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands.”
-Booger McFarland
