Nick Saban Advocates for Alabama to Make CFP, Says Team's Current Play Is a Strength
Dec 4, 2022
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 26: ead coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during pregame warmups prior to facing the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is making the case for the Crimson Tide to be one of the four teams selected for the 2022 College Football Playoff.
While speaking on ESPN's College Football Show, Saban discussed Bryce Young's shoulder injury and how it limited him earlier in the season, per ESPN's Alex Scarborough. Additionally, Saban noted that his team has played well over the last three weeks of the season, going 3-0.
The longtime Alabama head coach said the CFP Selection Committee must ask itself: "How are they playing at present?"
Saban made similar comments after Alabama defeated Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Nov. 26, via ESPN's Chris Low:
"I don't make those decisions, but I know what a resilient football team this has been. We've lost two games to top-10 opponents, both on the last play of the game and both on the road. We could have easily won both games but didn't. We're a good football team and hopefully people will recognize that and we'll get a chance [to play in the playoff]."
Alabama went 10-2 this season, suffering losses to No. 7 Tennessee and No. 14 LSU. They fell to the Volunteers on a last-second field goal, and lost to LSU when the Tigers scored on a late two-point conversion.
The Crimson Tide are currently ranked No. 6 in the CFP rankings behind Georgia, Michigan, TCU, USC and Ohio State.
USC's loss to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game and TCU's loss to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game opened the door for a two-loss team like Alabama to be selected for the CFP.
If the Crimson Tide are picked for the four-team playoff, they would be the first-ever two-loss team to be picked for the CFP. Additionally, Alabama has appeared in every CFP since its inception in 2014, except for 2020.
The CFP Selection Committee is set to make its picks on Sunday. If Alabama is not selected, they will at least appear in a non-playoff bowl game.
2022 CFP Title Odds: Ohio State Back in Mix After TCU, USC Lose Conference Titles
Dec 3, 2022
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2), Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18), Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7), and Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Chad Ray (19) after Egbuka and Stroud combined for a touchdown pass and catch during the first quarter of the college football game between the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes on November 26, 2022, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The college football national championship odds have drastically changed after No. 3 TCU and No. 4 USC's losses in their respective conference championship games.
The latest DraftKings Sportsbook odds peg No. 1 Georgia as the -125 favorite ($125 bet to win $100) to become the national champion.
The Bulldogs are followed by No. 2 Michigan and No. 5 Ohio State (+300) and then TCU (+1200) to round out the quartet. No other team is listed.
OSU is the clear beneficiary to TCU's and USC's losses. The Buckeyes are assuredly in the CFP field now, with the only question being a matter of where they fall in the field.
USC is undoubtedly out after an ugly 47-24 loss to No. 11 Utah in the Pac 12 Championship Game, where the Utes went on a 44-7 run to close the game. That marked the Trojans' second loss to Utah this year.
The question is whether TCU makes it in. The Horned Frogs still have a 12-1 record and beat everyone on their schedule. They beat No. 10 Kansas State 38-28 in October before falling to the Wildcats 31-28 in overtime in the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday.
Alabama is the next team up after OSU. The No. 6 Crimson Tide, who finished 10-2, fell twice on the final play of the game to No. 7 Tennessee and No. 14 LSU. Like OSU, Alabama is off this week.
We'll soon find out what the committee decides with the College Football Playoff Selection Show starting Sunday at noon ET.
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Sonny Dykes: 'For Sure' I Believe TCU Belongs in CFP Despite Loss vs. Kansas State
Dec 3, 2022
FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the TCU Horned Frogs watches from the sidelines as TCU takes on the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
After missing a chance to win the Big 12 championship and all but assure itself a spot in the College Football Playoff with a 31-28 overtime loss to Kansas State on Saturday, TCU finds itself at the mercy of the selection committee to make the Top Four when the final rankings are announced.
Speaking to reporters following his team's defeat, head coach Sonny Dykes was asked if the Horned Frogs deserve to be in the playoff.
"For sure I do," he responded.
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman agreed with Dykes' assessment of TCU's playoff chances.
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman: “TCU should be in the CFP. They’re one of the best four teams.”
TCU entered Saturday's conference title game with a 12-0 record and ranked No. 3 in the College Football Playoff standings.
The playoff rankings were already in for a shake-up after Friday when No. 4 USC got blown out by Utah 47-24 in the Pac-12 Championship Game. The Trojans' defeat certainly helps TCU because it gives the selection committee two spots it has to think about.
Georgia and Michigan are the top two teams in the rankings and will play their conference title games later in the day.
The top two teams on the outside of the playoff in the most recent rankings were Ohio State at No. 5 and Alabama at No. 6.
USA Today's Dan Wolken laid out the reasons why he is skeptical that a two-loss Alabama team would jump TCU when the final rankings are released:
Guys, Alabama isn’t going to jump TCU. Better wins and if this holds, a loss to a top-10 team that it already beat. That anyone is even talking about a different outcome is bizarre.
TCU's regular-season schedule does work to its advantage if there is a debate. It entered Saturday with the best strength of record in the country, per ESPN.com. Its record includes a previous win over Kansas State on Oct. 22 and No. 20 Texas.
If you want to find a way for the selection committee to knock TCU, its schedule doesn't look as impressive as it once did.
The Horned Frogs' victories over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas looked good at the time when those teams were all ranked in the Top 20 of the Associated Press poll, but they finished the season with a combined 19-17 record.
Of course, the same argument can be made for Alabama. The Crimson Tide also hold a victory over Texas, but its only other win against a team in the current playoff Top 25 was over No. 24 Mississippi State.
Dykes is certainly biased in campaigning for his own team, but it's hard to argue any of the teams that could potentially be in the mix have a strong enough resume to leapfrog TCU.
The final College Football Playoff rankings will be unveiled Sunday at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.
College Football Playoff Selection Show 2022: Date, Start Time and Live-Stream Info
Dec 3, 2022
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart paces the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
On Friday night, Utah defeated USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game and likely prevented the Trojans from reaching the College Football Playoff. It was the start of what should be an exciting weekend for the sport.
Saturday's slate is filled with conference championship matchups, several of which will determine the four-team CFP field for this season. When the action is complete, it will be up to the College Football Playoff selection committee to pick and seed the programs that will compete for the national title.
The College Football Playoff field will then be announced Sunday at noon ET on a show that will air on ESPN and can be streamed live on Watch ESPN and the ESPN app. Two teams will go to the Peach Bowl and two will head to the Fiesta Bowl. Those CFP semifinal games are set for Dec. 31, with the winners advancing to the CFP National Championship Game on Jan. 9.
So, which four teams will be battling it out for the national title?
Georgia and Michigan appear to be locks, regardless of what happens on Saturday. The Bulldogs and Wolverines are both 12-0, and they've navigated challenging schedules in the SEC and Big Ten, respectively.
As long as Georgia beats LSU in the SEC Championship Game, the Bulldogs will be the No. 1 seed. It's highly likely that happens, as Georgia is a big favorite to win the conference title.
If Georgia somehow loses, then Michigan could move up to No. 1. Otherwise, expect the Wolverines to be at No. 2, especially because they should have no trouble against Purdue in the Big Ten Championship Game.
TCU is at No. 3 in the CFP rankings after also going 12-0 in the regular season. If the Horned Frogs beat Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game, they'll be heading to the CFP for the first time in program history. If they don't, their status is a bit more up in the air.
It may have helped TCU that USC lost to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Now that the Trojans are going to be out, Ohio State (11-1) is likely getting a berth. The Buckeyes won their first 11 games of the season before losing to Michigan in their finale, keeping them out of the Big Ten Championship Game.
Directly behind Ohio State in the CFP rankings is Alabama. Would the CFP selection committee consider putting in the two-loss Crimson Tide (who were defeated by Tennessee and LSU) if TCU loses on Saturday? It seems unlikely, but it could also be possible.
That's why the Horned Frogs need to beat the Wildcats to prevent those conversations from happening. As long as TCU doesn't get blown out, it should be safe to get in. But if Kansas State wins in lopsided fashion, it could create an argument for Alabama.
So the most probable field for the CFP is Georgia, Michigan, TCU and Ohio State, in that order. The seedings could be among those four if the Bulldogs and/or Wolverines lose. Otherwise, this is likely to be the Playoff contenders (assuming Alabama doesn't find a way in over TCU).
Bowl Projections 2022: Predictions For CFP Championship and Biggest Matchups
Dec 3, 2022
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Stetson Bennett #13 reacts with Jack Podlesny #96 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The 2022 college football regular season might be over, but conference championship week has arrived, and after that we'll be watching some of the best matchups of the year in the College Football Playoff.
The 2022 CFP will include just four teams for the penultimate time before it triples in size to 12 teams beginning during the 2024-25 season. The CFP's Board of Managers formally approved the expanded playoff on Thursday.
Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Playoff, said in a statement:
"More teams and more access mean more excitement for fans, alumni, students and student-athletes. We appreciate the leaders of the six bowl games and the two future national championship game host cities for their cooperation. Everyone realized that this change is in the best interest of college football and pulled together to make it happen."
While it's fun to speculate what a 12-team College Football Playoff would look like, that's still two years away. So, let's focus on the 2022 CFP and which teams might be vying for the coveted title.
First, though, let's take a look at conference championship week and what impact that may have on the CFP outcome.
Conference Championship Week's Biggest Games
Pac-12 Championship Game
Utah 47, USC 24
Big 12 Championship Game
No. 3 TCU vs. No. 10 Kansas State
SEC Championship Game
No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 14 LSU
ACC Championship Game
No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 23 North Carolina
Big Ten Championship Game
No. 2 Michigan vs. Purdue
American Athletic Conference Championship Game
No. 18 Tulane vs. No. 22 UCF
College Football Playoff Rankings, Top 10
No. 1 Georgia: 12-0
No. 2 Michigan: 12-0
No. 3 TCU: 12-0
No. 4 USC: 11-2
No. 5 Ohio State: 11-1
No. 6 Alabama: 10-2
No. 7 Tennessee: 10-2
No. 8 Penn State: 10-2
No. 9 Clemson: 10-2
No. 10 Kansas State: 9-3
This was the top 10 as selected by the CFP Committee entering conference championship week.
The biggest games of conference championship week are those that will have the largest implications for the College Football Playoff. The matchups for No. 4 USC, No. 3 TCU, No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Michigan will be must-watch games.
A win against Kansas State for the 12-0 TCU Horned Frogs would essentially secure the team a spot in the CFP. TCU defeated K-State 38-28 at home earlier in the season after mounting an 18-point comeback.
The Georgia Bulldogs are already likely into the CFP after finishing the regular season 12-0, but a win over the LSU Tigers would help the team solidify itself as the No. 1 seed for the four-team playoff.
A loss by the Bulldogs would open up a chance for the 12-0 Michigan Wolverines to capture the No. 1 seed for the CFP. However, Michigan would need to move to 13-0 with a win over Purdue in the Big Ten Championship Game.
The CFP Committee will make its final decision on the four-team playoff on Sunday. The 2022 College Football Playoff Selection Show will air at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Bowl Game Projections
Capital One Orange Bowl
Friday, December 30 on ESPN
Projected Matchup: Clemson vs. Tennessee
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Saturday, December 31 on ESPN
Projected Matchup: Alabama vs. Kansas State
Rose Bowl
Monday, January 2 on ESPN
Projected Matchup: Penn State vs. Utah
Goodyear Cotton Bowl
Monday, January 2 on ESPN
Projected Matchup: USC vs. Tulane
The big bowl matchups here are Clemson vs. Tennessee and Alabama vs. Kansas State. Alabama was considered a potential pick for the CFP, but no two-loss team has ever been selected for the four-team title race.
That said, Alabama would be the clear favorite to defeat Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl, especially with a fully healthy Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
Had Young been healthy all year, the Crimson Tide might have been in a better position to contend for the SEC title game and a shot in the CFP.
The Orange Bowl features a matchup of teams that were each in the initial top four of this year's playoff rankings back in Week 9. Unfortunately for Tennessee, it will be without potential Heisman Trophy candidate Hendon Hooker, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury on Nov. 19. Joe Milton III will fill in at quarterback for the Volunteers' bowl game.
CFP Predictions
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Saturday, December 31 on ESPN
Projected Matchup: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Ohio State
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
Saturday, December 31 on ESPN
Projected Matchup: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU
CFP National Championship
Monday, January 9 on ESPN
Projected Matchup: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 2 Michigan
If both Georgia and Michigan win their respective conference championship games, they will likely remain the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds, respectively. The same can be said for No. 3 TCU.
The Bulldogs and Wolverines are undoubtedly the favorites to reach the CFP national championship game, but both Ohio State and TCU could put up a good fight.
Specifically, the Buckeyes could shock many and upset No. 1 Georgia with a top-tier performance from quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in the Peach Bowl.
Stroud, a Heisman Trophy candidate, is a far better quarterback than Georgia's Stetson Bennett. That said, Stroud is going to face a much tougher Georgia defense, which will make it difficult for the Buckeyes to move the ball.
TCU's path to the CFP could be similar to that of the 2021 season's Cincinnati Bearcats. The Horned Frogs have had a magical season, defeating the likes of Oklahoma, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Texas en route to a 12-0 record.
Quarterback Max Duggan, running back Kendre Miller and wide receiver Quentin Johnson also performed better than expected, and there's no reason to believe they won't give Michigan a run for its money in the Fiesta Bowl.
Still, Michigan has all the tools to make it back to the CFP national championship despite a season-ending injury to star running back Blake Corum.
USC's Pac-12 Title Loss Opens the Door for Ohio State in Top Four of CFB Playoff
Dec 3, 2022
Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams (13) is tackled by Utah safeties R.J. Hubert (11) and Cole Bishop (8) during the first half of the Pac-12 Conference championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
It wasn’t supposed to end like this.
No, USC’s dream season was destined for something more.
The (soon-to-be) Heisman-winning quarterback was supposed to carry his team to a conference championship in his first year on campus. A program that has been down for so long was supposed to be reborn with its new head coach leading the surge.
But football doesn’t work that way. Results are imperfect and (at times) unfair. The sport doesn’t care about what narrative fits each situation best. The games are played, the results are tallied and things trudge forward.
Instead of gliding into a Heisman win, Caleb Williams spent most of the Pac-12 Championship limping around the field. He still dazzled on occasion, especially early on. When his knee limited his mobility, however, USC fell apart—slowly at first and then violently at the end.
And the Trojans’ defense? In a word, yikes.
A team that has thrived off opportune turnovers this season gave up yards and points in chunks. Tackling, at times, seemed almost optional.
A strong start gave way for a blowout, and it wasn’t the one most we were expecting. Utah clobbered USC 47-24, all but ending the Trojans’ stranglehold on the fourth and final playoff spot.
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 02: Utah Utes running back Ja'Quinden Jackson (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Pac-12 Conference championship game between the Utah Utes and the USC Trojans at Allegiant Stadium on December 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Thousands of miles away, a team still licking the wounds from last Saturday rejoiced. A playoff spot should not be earned from sitting on the couch, although that’s precisely what happened here.
Regardless of where you stand on that matter, the outcome seems somewhat straightforward: USC is out, and Ohio State is in.
With games still to be played and conferences still to be decided, the College Football Playoff field feels set.
A team that just lost at home by 22 points can now win the national title. While many were connecting the dots this week to find the next Ohio State coach, Ryan Day will now get a crack at redemption in the postseason.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day questions a referee's call during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Reaching this conclusion is simple. USC, which was No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings, will drop. Ohio State, which lost out on a Big Ten title when it lost to Michigan 45-23, will jump up from the No. 5 spot despite watching, waiting and hoping.
The No. 6 team, Alabama, isn’t going anywhere despite calls from many. Neither will Tennessee or Penn State, the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds. Clemson, which came in at No. 9, will not be capable of making the top four with an ACC title.
Seeding, of course, might still be jostled. But it would take something truly unique for the playoff not to feature Georgia, Michigan, TCU and Ohio State.
What happens if TCU is blown out by Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship? We’ll have to wait and see, although probably very little. That result will not have an impact on what happened Friday night. Ohio State was given a gift and new life.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham acknowledged as such on the broadcast following the game. “Coach Day, Whittingham said while gesturing a thumbs up, you’re welcome.”
In a week where the College Football Playoff announced it would be moving to a 12-team playoff in 2024, the current format was once again exposed for all that it is and all that it can't be.
The fact that USC is now out of the postseason despite having to play an extra football game is deeply unfair. It’s made even more challenging given Williams’ health during much of the game. It’s the way it goes. Oh, and the Trojans’ effort on defense certainly doesn’t strengthen this argument.
Still, one can't help but question the sheer logistics of it all.
Ohio State is not the first team that made the playoff by being dormant in the final weekend. In 2017, Alabama snuck its way into the College Football Playoff after being left out of the SEC Championship Game.
The Crimson Tide went onto win the national title thanks largely to a second-half performance from a freshman quarterback named Tua Tagovailoa. History, of course, is not guaranteed to repeat itself. But all you need is a chance, and Ohio State has one now.
Earlier in the week, the College Football Playoff announced it would be expanding its postseason to 12 teams in 2024. In this version, USC and Ohio State both easily make the first round without drama or conversation.
Right now, however, that discussion means very little. After suffering one of its worst losses in program history, there is joy in Columbus after a long, loud week. And after delivering a debut season that somehow surpassed all reasonable expectations, Lincoln Riley’s first season with USC ends with an emphatic thud.
Ohio State is very much alive, and USC is very much not.
You don’t have to like it or agree with it. Regardless, at least for the time being, it’s the way things were ultimately meant to be.
USC Defense Ripped by CFB Twitter for Costing Trojans CFP Berth in Loss vs. Utah
Dec 3, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 02: Ja'Quinden Jackson #3 of the Utah Utes celebrates after running the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter of the PAC-12 Championship football game against the USC Trojans at Allegiant Stadium on December 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
The USC football team will not be going to the College Football Playoff after falling to Utah 47-24 in the Pac 12 Championship Game on Friday evening in Las Vegas.
The No. 4 Trojans were guaranteed a postseason berth with a win over the No. 11 Utes, but a disastrous defensive effort led to USC's second defeat against Utah this year.
Utah rolled for 533 total yards, with quarterback Cameron Rising completing 22-of-34 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns. His 60-yard toss to tight end Thomas Yassmin gave the Utes a 33-24 lead in the fourth quarter.
The Utes steamrolled the Trojans on the ground as well with 223 yards and three scores on 35 carries (6.4 YPC).
After the Yassmin touchdown and a R.J. Hubert interception of USC quarterback Caleb Williams, Utes running back Ja'Quinden Jackson rushed for a 53-yard touchdown for a 39-24 edge.
The USC offense did all it could with Williams, the clear Heisman Trophy favorite, hobbled with a midgame lower-body injury that briefly sent him to the medical tent. He still impressed with 363 passing yards and three touchdowns.
However, the Utah offensive line dominated the trenches, allowing the skill-position players with more than enough room to dissect the USC defense through the air and on the ground.
That enables Utah to finish the evening on a 44-7 run after falling behind 17-3 in the second quarter, and Twitter noted the team's significant defensive struggles as a result.
At this point we're kind of curious what the 4 CFP teams would've done to this USC defense...
Utah will now be heading to the Rose Bowl as the Pac-12 representative. USC will await its bowl fate following Saturday's conference championship games.
Notre Dame Starting QB Drew Pyne Reportedly Intends to Enter NCAA Transfer Portal
Dec 2, 2022
Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will reportedly have an opening at quarterback in 2023, as this year's starter Drew Pyne is set to part ways with the team.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Pyne intends to enter the transfer portal and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Pyne started 10 games this season for the 8-4 Fighting Irish, leading the team to an 8-2 record. His 4-1 record against Top 25 teams was the best by a Notre Dame quarterback in the last 10 years, per Thamel.
Notre Dame inserted Pyne as the starter following the team's upset loss to Marshall. He immediately provided a spark and threw for 2,021 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 64.6 percent of his passes and ranking 20th in the nation in individual quarterback efficiency.
If Pyne's last appearance in a Fighting Irish uniform was an audition for other schools, he will undoubtedly have a long list of suitors. He went 23-of-26 for 318 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a 38-27 loss to USC last Saturday. According to Thamel, Pyne's "decisiveness in the pocket stood out to opposing coaches, as they characterized him as a quick-twitch thrower."
Pyne was a 4-star recruit in the class of 2020 coming out of New Canaan High School in Connecticut, per 247Sports' composite. He chose Notre Dame over offers from Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma and Auburn, among others.
With Pyne unlikely to play in Notre Dame's upcoming bowl game, it can be expected that the team will turn back to sophomore quarterback Tyler Buchner, who threw for 378 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in his two starts this season.
Report: Jalen Kitna Dismissed from Florida After Arrest on Child Pornography Charges
Dec 2, 2022
GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 02: Florida Gators quarterback Jalen Kitna (11) looks for a receiver during the game between the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Florida Gators on October 2, 2022 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Quarterback Jalen Kitna has been dismissed from the University of Florida football team following his arrest on child pornography charges, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.
The Gainesville Police Department arrested Kitna and he was booked into Alachua County jail on Wednesday. He was formally charged with two counts of distribution of child exploitation material and three counts of possession of child pornography.
According to Mark Long of the Associated Press, Kitna was released from jail on Thursday after posting $80,000 bond.
Long added Judge Meshon Rawls ordered Kitna not to have any unsupervised contact with minors and no internet access as part of the conditions for his release.
"Jalen Kitna was at the Alachua County Jail and on a closed-circuit feed when Jon and Jennifer Kitna stepped to a podium in the courtroom and promised they would supervise their 19-year-old son back home in Burleson, Texas," Long wrote.
Per the arrest report from the Gainesville Police Department (h/t Long), authorities began an investigation into allegations of images of child pornography being shared on social media site Discord following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
"Kitna shared two images of a pubescent girl, police said in the report, adding that the phrase 'so young junior' was written on both pictures," wrote Long. "Kitna told a detective he thought they were legal because he found them online."
The report also noted police found three more images of "two nude pubescent girls in the shower" when they searched Kitna's phone that had been saved since December 2021. Police said Kitna told them he thought the images "were legal because he found them online," per Long.
All of the charges against Kitna are felonies. Two of them are second-degree felonies that could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000. The other charges are third-degree felonies.
Kitna enrolled at Florida last year. He redshirted during the 2021 season and has been the primary backup to Anthony Richardson in 2022. The 19-year-old appeared in three games for the Gators this season.
