Kittner Taken By Falcons in 2002 NFL Draft
April 21, 2002 | Football
April 21, 2002
Former University of Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner was selected as the 158th pick in the fifth round by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2002 National Football League Amateur Draft, Sunday afternoon.
Kittner, who led Illinois to the 2001 Big Ten title, was the only Illini drafted over the weekend. He also took the Illini to its first ever appearance in the Bowl Championship Series and a 10-2 record. Kittner leaves Illinois as the school's all-time winningest quarterback and holding four school records: career total offense, career and single season touchdown passes and career attempts. He was named to the second-team All-Big Ten after passing for 3,256 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior. He led the Big Ten in both categories.
"Coach Reeves called today and said I was a Falcon and I said 'Great,'" Kittner said in a teleconference earlier today. "I am just going to go into mini camp and hit the books. I need to work hard to learn the offense and then try to put myself in a position to make the team and contribute to the squad."
In free agent action, center Luke Butkus carried on the family name as he signed a contract with the Chicago Bears. He will head to mini-camp in Chicago with teammate punter Steve Fitts who also inked with the Chicago ballclub. The New York Jets were fond of the Illini as they picked up three as free agents, Sunday night. Signing with the Jets were offensive guard Jay Kulaga, defensive tackle Brandon Moore and strong safety Bobby Jackson. Defensive end Terrell Washington will join the newest member of the NFL as he worked a free agent deal with the Houston Texans.
ILLINI IN THE 2002 DRAFT AND FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
Rd. - Name - Team
5th (158) - Kurt Kittner - Atlanta Falcons
FA - Luke Butkus - Chicago Bears
FA - Steve Fitts - Chicago Bears
FA - Bobby Jackson - New York Jets
FA - Jay Kulaga - New York Jets
FA - Brandon Moore - New York Jets
FA - Terrell Washington - Houston Texans
