For Jalen Kitna, the journey to the NFL draft has been a winding road, but this week brought a poignant moment of connection to his past. The former UAB quarterback and NFL prospect participated in the Cincinnati Bengals' local pre-draft workout, stepping onto the field at Paycor Stadium—a place he first visited as a toddler to watch his father play.

Wearing a Bengals No. 3 practice jersey, just like his dad, former Bengals QB Jon Kitna, Jalen completed a personal full circle. "It's obviously a great feeling getting to wear the number and just be out here," Jalen said. "Any opportunities I'm super thankful for, but especially just getting to have this special opportunity... it is really special."

His path to this point has been unconventional. The son of a 15-year NFL veteran, Jalen attended four different high schools before beginning his college career at the University of Florida. His time there ended abruptly in 2022 following an arrest on charges that were later dropped in a plea deal. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts, with investigators determining shared images did not meet the criteria for the initial allegations.

After transferring to UAB, Kitna rebuilt his football resume, throwing for 4,671 yards and 30 touchdowns over two seasons. Now, as he navigates the pre-draft process, he faces questions from teams about his background alongside evaluations of his arm talent. "If there's been any questions, I got to answer them and just really tell the truth about what happened," he stated, adding that he views the experience as a source of personal growth.

The Bengals' workout, though brief at about 25 minutes, was a chance to showcase his skills in front of coaches and scouts. For a quarterback prospect looking to make his own name, it was also a unique nod to family legacy—a first NFL memory coming full circle on the cusp of a professional dream.