Tennessee football’s offense threw a new wrinkle at NC State in its 51-10 blowout win in Charlotte on Saturday afternoon. The Vols played with two tight end sets throughout the game as they physically dominated NC State up front.
All three of Tennessee’s tight ends played well against the Wolfpack led by Alabama transfer Miles Kitselman. Not only was Kitselman’s best tight end on the night, he earned a 94.0 PFF grade which proved to be the best of any tight end in the country in week two.
Highest Graded Week 2 Tight Ends🔥 pic.twitter.com/GtF32KZVv3
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 10, 2024
Kitselman caught three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown in the Vols’ blowout victory. Not only was Kitselman effective in the passing game, where he earned 91.3 grade, but he was also extremely effective in the run game.
The super senior tight end earned an 81.1 grade in 24 run block snaps. Following the game, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel praised both Kitselman and the entire tight end room’s physicality in the run game.
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Kitselman has been one of the biggest surprises on Tennessee’s roster in the young season. The Kansas native played little in his two seasons at Alabama after transferring in from Hutchinson Community College. Over the course of those two seasons, Kitselman caught just two passes for 18 yards while playing only 65 offensive snaps.
In two games at Tennessee, Kitselman’s caught three passes for 39 yards in a touchdown while playing 65 offensive snaps.
While Tennessee playing 12 personnel against NC State was certainly a wrinkle, Heupel insists that the Vols will do it more this season than they have in the past due to their improved depth. In Heupel’s first three seasons as Tennessee’s head coach, they’ve only played two tight ends.
Along with Kitselman, Tennessee is playing sophomore Ethan Davis as well as Notre Dame tight end Holden Staes. Through two games, Kitselman’s earned an 83.7 PFF grade, Davis’ earned a 72.9 PFF grade and Staes’ earned a 57.3 PFF grade.
Tennessee and its tight ends are looking to continue their strong start to the 2024 season on Saturday when they host Kent State at Neyland Stadium. Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic are on the call for the SEC Network.
