Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman has announced that he will return to Knoxville for a fifth collegiate season, making it clear that he’s not done yet with the Volunteers. In a post on Instagram Monday afternoon, Kitselman wrote, “Got some unfinished business. Let’s run it back.” This decision comes after the NCAA granted him an additional year of eligibility, which became available due to a recent ruling that impacted players who had spent time in junior college.
Originally, Kitselman was set to finish his eligibility after the 2024 season. However, a lawsuit won by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia established that junior college years should not count against a player’s eligibility. As a result, the NCAA responded by granting an extra year of eligibility to football players who had played in junior college, including Kitselman, whose first collegiate season was spent at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. This ruling allowed Kitselman to return for the 2025 season, much to the benefit of Tennessee.
Before coming to Tennessee, Kitselman spent two seasons at Alabama, where he gained experience that would later make him a key contributor for the Volunteers. He transferred to Tennessee for the 2024 season and was an immediate impact player. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 256 pounds, Kitselman started in all 12 regular season games for Tennessee in 2024, where he caught 21 passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns. Additionally, he showcased his versatility with a rushing touchdown on a fullback dive against Georgia.
His five touchdowns during the 2024 season ranked third on the team, behind only running back Dylan Sampson (22 touchdowns) and receiver Dont’e Thornton (6 touchdowns). Both Sampson and Thornton are moving on to the NFL, leaving Kitselman as the returning leader in touchdowns for Tennessee as they enter the 2025 season.
Kitselman also impressed on the field in terms of his performance metrics, earning a 77.4 PFF grade over 599 snaps. He was graded as the top tight end and the fifth-best offensive player on Tennessee’s roster according to Pro Football Focus, a testament to his consistent playmaking and reliability. His performance made it clear that he could be a pivotal figure for the Volunteers in 2025.
Looking ahead, Kitselman will be the leader in Tennessee’s tight end room, as the team moves into the 2025 season. The Volunteers lost backup tight end Holden Staes to the transfer portal, but they still return talented pass-catcher Ethan Davis, who will likely be a key contributor. Additionally, Tennessee bolstered its tight end depth by signing two blue-chip prospects in its 2025 recruiting class—Da’Saahn Brame and Jack Van Dorselaer. Despite the influx of new talent, Kitselman’s return will provide Tennessee with a proven and experienced leader at the position, which will be crucial for the team as it looks to continue its strong offensive production.
Kitselman’s decision to return represents a significant boost for Tennessee’s offense in 2025. His leadership, experience, and playmaking ability will be vital as the Volunteers look to build upon their successes and navigate the challenges of the upcoming season. With the tight end room in good hands, Kitselman’s decision to stay in Knoxville ensures that Tennessee’s offense remains in strong shape moving forward.
