UAB’s Kitna Questionable Against Memphis
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - October 18, 2025
UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna is questionable for today’s Battle for the Bones game against Memphis at Protective Stadium. Kitna suffered an upper body injury in last week’s loss at Florida Atlantic.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound redshirt senior participated in practice this week but was limited. He did not throw the football during the media viewing sessions on Tuesday or Wednesday but was in uniform. He is expected to warm up before today’s game but it’s questionable whether he will play. If he can’t play, the starter is expected to be redshirt sophomore Ryder Burton with Adrian Posse and Nate Rogers as his backups.
Kitna started the last eight games of the 2024 season and has taken nearly every snap in the first six games of this season. He has taken 400 snaps at quarterback this season. Burton has four snaps, Rogers has eight snaps and Posse has not played. Kitna is 161-of-233 for 1,776 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. He is 8th in the country in passing yards per game (296). Burton completed his lone pass of the season for seven yards and Rogers has not thrown pass. Rogers rushed for two touchdowns and Burton has a rushing touchdown.
The final decision on whether Kitna will play will come in pregame warmups. Two years ago, UAB starting quarterback Jacob Zeno missed the Blazers game against visiting Memphis because of a concussion. UAB opted to alternate three quarterbacks – Harrison Barker, Landry Lyddy and Trace Campbell – in the game. All three played by halftime. The teams were tied at 21 at halftime of that game but Memphis pulled away for a 45-21 victory.
If Kitna can’t play, Burton will probably take the bulk of the snaps. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Burton, who played high school football in Springville, Utah, was at BYU in 2023 and West Virginia in 2024. Burton did not play in a game at either of his first two stops. Burton transferred to UAB in January, was the No. 2 quarterback coming out of spring practice and secured the backup spot in fall camp.
Burton said during fall camp that he prepared like he was No. 1 quarterback, even though he was clearly behind Kitna.
Today, it’s possible he will get that chance.