Son of former NFL quarterback commits to UAB for Class of 2025

UAB on Thursday landed a Class of 2025 verbal commitment from quarterback Jamison “JT” Kitna, a 3-star recruit out of Lakota East High School in Middletown, Ohio.

Kitna is the son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna and the younger brother of current Blazers QB Jalen Kitna. JT Kitna chose UAB over James Madison, among other schools.

In a social media post announcing his commitment, Kitna cited the presence of head coach Trent Dilfer — also a former NFL quarterback — as a deciding factor.

Jon Kitna, who spent 16 seasons as an NFL quarterback, is currently head coach at Lakota East. He was the Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback in 2000, a year before Dilfer joined the team.

UAB heads into 2024 with nine quarterbacks on its roster, including returning starter Jacob Zeno. Jalen Kitna — a 3-star recruit in the 2021 class — enrolled at UAB in January after being dismissed from Florida following his arrest on felony charges that were later dropped.

UAB opens the 2024 season at home Aug. 29 vs. Alcorn State. The Blazers finished 4-8 last season, Dilfer’s first as head coach.