Jalen Kitna Discusses Injury And Season Outlook

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - November 20, 2025

The rollercoaster ending to what might be Jalen Kitna’s final college football season began when the UAB quarterback suffered a shoulder injury in the team’s loss at FAU on Oct. 11.

Since then he watched from the sideline as Ryder Burton engineered an upset victory over Memphis, worked to get better during a bye week, was pulled after two series in a loss at UConn, watched once again in a loss at Rice and took nearly every snap last week at Protective Stadium in a loss to North Texas.

After starting the final 14 games in succession, including the final eight of last season, it’s been a different path for the 6-foot-5, 225-pound redshirt senior.

“I think it's been a new challenge, something I’ve never experienced before,” Kitna said. “I think through it all the biggest thing I've learned is just continue to get better. With setbacks and stuff like that, there's just a feeling of wanting to get back to where you were. For me, I want to be my best and I want to be my best for this team and for the coaches as we finish the season. Going through that has definitely been hard, it's definitely been a different experience, but it's allowed me to grow in a lot of different ways and learn how to interact with guys and interact with coaches in different ways.”

Kitna said this is the first time, at any level of football, that he missed a game because of an injury. He certainly had been banged up and hurting at times, Kitna said, but he always played through the pain. UAB interim head coach and offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen said the toughness Kitna plays with was part of the reason that perhaps he came back too quickly.

“I probably should have pumped the brakes on that,” Mortensen said.

The play of his backup and the national attention that Burton garnered after the win over Memphis was not part of his reason to work back quickly. Truth is, that was perhaps the best part of the entire process.

“I mean it brings so much joy to me to see Ryder grow out there and play really well, see the whole team play really well,” Ryder said. “ That was just really cool. I think me and Ryder, we've had a really close relationship this whole time. Like I said my main goal was just to get back to 100 percent and to be my best.”

Kitna resumed his role as the starter last week after getting back to full strength. He had some good moments, throwing for 281 yards and a touchdown but also had interceptions of each of the final two possessions. If he remains healthy, it appears Kitna will remain the starter for Saturday’s home finale against South Florida and the season finale at Tulsa on Nov. 29.

Kitna said he has filed a waiver to get one final season of college football. Kitna also could pursue a professional football career even it the waiver process is successful.

“I think there's a lot in the air right now,” Kitna said. “I think figuring all that out is kind of tough. My main goal is just to play these last two games and play them well. Help these guys, help this team be their best and see what may happen from there.”