A Kansas native who took the long way to the NFL through junior college and Alabama before finally breaking out as a receiving tight end at Tennessee.
Miles Kitselman's college path ran through Hutchinson Community College and two quiet seasons at Alabama before he found his footing at Tennessee, where he became a legitimate receiving threat at tight end. He signed with Detroit as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 draft, joining a Lions tight end room anchored by Sam LaPorta.
Path to the league
A native of Lyndon, Kansas, Kitselman began his college career at Hutchinson Community College in 2021 before transferring to Alabama, where he caught just two passes over two seasons buried on the depth chart. He entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season and landed at Tennessee, where he immediately became a bigger part of the offense.
Career highlights
Kitselman's breakout came in 2024 at Tennessee, when he caught 22 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns, including a three-catch, 39-yard, one-touchdown performance in a Week 2 win over NC State. Across his Tennessee career he finished with 48 receptions for 554 yards and six touchdowns after starting his career with almost no production at Alabama.
2025 season recap
Kitselman played his final college season at Tennessee in 2025 before going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Detroit signed him as an undrafted free agent immediately afterward, giving him a shot to develop behind Sam LaPorta as an in-line blocking tight end who can still contribute in the passing game.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Miles Kitselman
- ESPN: Miles Kitselman player page
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- practiceSquad
- College
- Tennessee
- Hometown
- Lyndon, KS, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- practice-squad
