While everyone is focused on the Tennessee basketball team going on a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, don't forget that Josh Heupel and Co. are working overtime during spring camp to get ready for the 2025 season. Unfortunately, some tough news has come in on a veteran playmaker.
That'd be senior tight end Miles Kitselman. According to Austin Price of VolQuest, Kitselman is going to be out for a bit of time due to a pectoral injury. Not only that, but he recently underwent surgery. He's expected to be back for fall camp, but an exact timeframe for when he'll be fully cleared is a bit up in the air:
Tennessee TE Miles Kitselman has undergone surgery for a pectoral injury
Kitselman transferred to Tennessee from Alabama prior to last season. He was expected to be one and done with the Vols, but thanks to the new eligibility rules for former JUCO players, the door was opened for him to play one more campaign in Knoxville.
Kitselman jumped at the opportunity and he'll indeed be hoping to make a big difference for standout quarterback Nico Iamaleava in 2025. Last season for Tennessee, the 6-5, 255-pound Kitselman posted 22 receptions for 301 yards and four touchdowns.
He had a breakout game against Kentucky on Nov. 2, recording a season high six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. He wasn't a superstar by any means, but he was consistent when the ball was thrown his way and he got his hands dirty when it came to blocking.
Having his experience back on the field for this young team in 2025 is going to be an added bonus for Heupel and his staff. However, the bummer is that Kitselman is dealing with some injury adversity right now. Luckily, there's still a long time until August and he'll surely hit the ground running with his rehab once it gets started. Let's hope he can be at 100 percent by the time fall camp gets here.