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Former Gators TE Among PFF’s NFL Players with Most to Prove

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Former Gators TE Among PFF’s NFL Players with Most to Prove


After an up-and-down start to his NFL career, the clock is ticking for one former Florida Gators tight end.

According to Pro Football Focus, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is among the 10 NFL players with the “most to prove” heading into next season.

“The former fourth-overall pick is entering the last year of his contract after the Falcons picked up his fifth-year option. However, Pitts has not lived up to his first-round status, let alone his top-five-pick status,” PFF’s Zoltan Buday wrote. “Pitts will most likely have to prove in Michael Penix Jr.’s first full season as a starting quarterback that he can be among the best receiving tight ends in the league in order to earn an extension with the Falcons.”

After an impressive rookie year where he became just the second rookie tight end in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards and earned a Pro Bowl nod, Pitts hasn’t been able to replicate that level of production.

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Last season, Pitts caught 47 passes for 602 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.

One potential explanation for the drop-off: his continued struggles with creating separation. It was first noted in 2022, but that issue has still appeared to affect him as recently as 2024.

The Gator product came into the NFL with high expectations after being drafted by the Falcons with the fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Throughout his time at Florida, Pitts was a Unanimous All-American and two-time All-SEC selection while catching 100 passes for 1,492 yards and 18 touchdowns over the course of three seasons. 

During his final year at Florida, Pitts won the Mackey Award (awarded to nation’s top tight-end) after catching 43 passes for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

It’s no coincidence that Pitts’ most productive NFL season came when the Falcons had a steady presence at quarterback in Matt Ryan. Since then, instability under center has plagued the offense. But with Penix Jr. entering his second year in Atlanta and expected to take over as the full-time starter, Pitts may finally get the consistency he’s needed to thrive.

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Rainy stretch continues in South Florida

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Rainy stretch continues in South Florida


South Florida is experiencing a prolonged stretch of wet weather as deep tropical moisture combines with a stalled frontal boundary across the region.

The result has been frequent showers, thunderstorms, periods of heavy rainfall, and localized flooding concerns from Broward to Miami-Dade and throughout the Keys.

The atmosphere is loaded with moisture, allowing storms to produce intense downpours in a short amount of time.

Some neighborhoods have already seen several inches of rain, with additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected through the end of the week.

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Flood-prone streets and poor drainage areas remain especially vulnerable during the heaviest rainfall.

While the rain is helping ease drought conditions, it is also increasing the risk of flash flooding and travel delays.

South Florida is two weeks into its rainy season, when abundant heat and humidity combine to generate daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms.

Heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and gusty winds are common features of this time of year.

The good news? Drier air will gradually filter into parts of the region heading into the weekend, allowing rain chances to slightly decrease. Until then, keep the umbrella handy and be prepared for sudden tropical downpours.

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Man accused of kidnapping woman at Wawa in Central Florida

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Man accused of kidnapping woman at Wawa in Central Florida


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A man is in custody after deputies said he tried to kidnap a woman at a Wawa near Winter park. Per investigators, Matthew Seaberg approached the victim from behind, picked her up by the waist, and threw her into his truck.



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Jury selection continues in fatal boat crash trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino

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Jury selection continues in fatal boat crash trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino


MIAMI — A new group of prospective jurors was questioned Tuesday in the trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino, who is charged in connection with a 2022 boat crash that killed a teenager in Miami-Dade County.

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During jury selection in a Miami-Dade courtroom, Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez asked potential jurors what they already knew about the case and whether they had recently seen or heard anything about it.

Several prospective jurors said they knew only basic details, including that a fatal boating crash occurred and that a teenage girl died. Others said they recalled media reports that alcohol may have been involved.

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As questioning continued, some prospective jurors disclosed connections to schools and communities tied to the case.

Passengers aboard Pino’s boat included his wife, his teenage daughter and 11 of her friends, many of whom attended private schools in Miami-Dade County.

One prospective juror said they graduated from a local private school around the time of the crash and were familiar with some of the students involved.

Another said references to schools and witnesses brought back memories of seeing posts and articles about the incident shared on social media.

A third said their child participates in youth sports with students from schools connected to the case.

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Investigators said the boat struck a channel marker while returning from an outing on Biscayne Bay. Seventeen-year-old Lourdes Academy student Lucy Fernandez drowned after the crash.

Tinkler Mendez also addressed concerns that a prospective juror had been viewing a news report about the case on a cellphone while waiting outside the courtroom.

Another prospective juror reported hearing the report but said it was not loud enough for everyone in the area to hear.

Tinkler Mendez reminded prospective jurors to avoid news coverage and social media discussions related to the case as jury selection continues.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.





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