Sports
Archbishop Wood's Pitts Goes No. 4 To Falcons
The standout tight end, considered the draft's best player by some analysts, made history with the first round pick.
WARMINSTER, PA — A local high school football standout made a bit of NFL history Thursday night.
Kyle Pitts, a tight end and Archbishop Wood Catholic High School who some analysts considered the best player in the 2021 NFL Draft, was selected with the fourth pick in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons.
That made Pitts, who played his college ball at the University of Florida, the highest-selected tight end in the history of the draft.
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"I’m definitely humbled. It’s a dream come true to even get drafted," Pitts said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "To be top five, that’s something special. The first tight end (to be selected that high), I mean, I don’t even know how to put it into words. I’m just elated with joy. I can’t even put into words how excited I am."
At Archbishop Wood, Pitts won state titles in his junior and senior seasons with the Vikings, catching 49 passes for 771 yards and 11 touchdowns while also playing defense.
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Take A Look At Some Kyle Pitts Highlights At Archbishop Wood From PennLive
Two weeks ago, he visited his alma mater with NFL Films. There, he jokes about not missing the private school's mandatory uniforms and visits a favorite teacher.
In Atlanta, Pitts will join an offense that features veteran quarterback, and former league MVP, Matt Ryan and, barring any trades, top-flight wide receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Head coach Arthur Smith, in his first season with the Falcons after being offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans, is known to favor strategies that heavily utilize the tight end position.
"There are a lot of vets and great minds on that team, in that building," Pitts said, according to the AJC. "To just learn from Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, the list goes on. But to be able to come in and make an impact, is something I want to do. Blocking-wise, I’ll be ready when the day comes. First day of camp, I’ll be ready. I know coach Smith does a great job of getting his tight ends ready. I’m eager to see how he uses me."
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