George Kittle's Collegiate Career: From Iowa Hawkeye to NFL Star

George Kittle, a prominent tight end in the NFL, currently playing for the San Francisco 49ers, began his football journey at the University of Iowa. This article delves into his college career, highlighting his evolution as a player and his contributions to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Early Life and High School

George Krieger Kittle was born on October 9, 1993, in Madison, Wisconsin. He moved to Iowa in 2000 and attended multiple high schools: Iowa City West High School in Iowa City, Iowa; Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma. Kittle committed to the University of Iowa to play college football.

Family Legacy and Commitment to Iowa

Football runs in the Kittle family. His father, Bruce, was a four-year letterman and co-captain of the 1982 Rose Bowl squad at Iowa and is a former college football coach. Kittle's mother, Jan Krieger, earned All-America basketball honors at Drake University. This athletic background undoubtedly influenced George's path.

Iowa Hawkeyes Career (2012-2016)

Kittle played at Iowa from 2012 to 2016 under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Throughout his time as a Hawkeye, Kittle contributed to a team that maintained a winning record, going 35-8. However, the Hawkeyes never secured a Big Ten championship or a bowl game victory during his tenure, going 0-4 in bowl game appearances.

2012-2014: Limited Role and Development

As a freshman in 2012, Kittle had a limited role. In 2013, he saw action in 12 games, recording five receptions for 108 yards. His first career reception covered 47 yards against Missouri State. Iowa's tight end unit remained crowded for Kittle in the 2014 season. Along with the return of Hamilton and Duzey, junior Henry Krieger-Coble added to the depth. He saw action in 12 games and recorded one reception for 25 yards against Maryland.

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2015: Emergence as a Receiving Threat

Kittle's role expanded in the 2015 season. He saw action in all 14 games, with six starts. On September 26, 2015, against North Texas, he scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 43-yard reception from quarterback C. J. Beathard. He finished the season with 20 receptions for 290 yards and six touchdowns, leading the team in touchdown receptions and ranking sixth in the Big Ten Conference. A notable moment was a one-yard touchdown against Wisconsin, which proved to be the only touchdown in a 10-6 victory for the Hawkeyes.

2016: Senior Season and Leadership

As a senior in the 2016 season, Kittle started all 11 games in which he played, missing two games due to injury. He recorded 22 receptions for 314 yards and four touchdowns. Kittle had a career-best 110 receiving yards on five receptions against North Dakota State, with a long of 51 yards. He also had two receptions for 56 yards at Rutgers, including a 36-yard scoring reception.

College Statistics Overview

Kittle's college statistics reflect a steady progression throughout his career:

2013: Five catches for 106 yards (21.6 yards per catch)
2014: One catch for 25 yards (25.0 ypc)
2015: 20 catches for 290 yards (14.5 ypc) and six touchdowns
2016: 22 catches for 314 yards (14.3 ypc) and four touchdowns

In all, he combined to catch 48 passes for 737 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his Iowa career, Kittle earned recognition for his performance both on and off the field. In 2016, he received Academic All-Big Ten honors for the fourth year. He was also named to the preseason Watch List for the John Mackey Award and the Rotary Lombardi Award. In 2015, he was named honorable mention All-America by SI.com.

NFL Draft and Career

Despite his limited use as a pass-catcher in college, one area in which Kittle excelled was as a run-blocker. As a top tight end prospect, Kittle was one of 19 collegiate tight ends to receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed the majority of drills, but opted to skip the short shuttle and three-cone drill. Kittle's overall performance was well received, as he finished third among tight ends in the broad jump, fifth in the 40-yard dash, and finished sixth among his position group in the vertical jump.

At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Kittle was projected to be a third or fourth round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. The San Francisco 49ers selected Kittle in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft. He was reunited with Iowa teammate C. J. Beathard.

Pre-Draft Profile

Leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft, Kittle's strengths and weaknesses were evaluated by scouts. He was praised for his blocking ability, receiving skills, and overall athleticism. However, concerns were raised about his injury history and consistency.

Transition to the NFL

Kittle's transition to the NFL marked a significant turning point in his career. While his college stats might not have foreshadowed his future success, his work ethic, athleticism, and blocking ability made him a valuable asset.

Personal Life

Kittle married Claire Till on April 9, 2019. They met at the University of Iowa, where Claire played basketball. Kittle is a fan of professional wrestling, having cited Penta as his favorite wrestler, and uses his "Cero Miedo" (Spanish for "No Fear") taunt when he gets a first down.

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