Dear Old Gold
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Iowa football: The 49ers embracing Hawkeyes in Kyle Shannahan’s second season

By Andrew Wade

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs to score a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs to score a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

George Kittle

George Kittle spent four years in the Iowa football program, but didn’t really play for the first two seasons. It wasn’t until Jake Duzey went down with an injury that Kittle finally got his shot his junior year. He went on to amass 20 receptions for 290 yards and six touchdowns. His senior year, in just nine games, he caught 22 balls for 314 yards and four touchdowns.

Despite the limited production, Kittle was generating buzz heading into the draft process and only heightened that buzz with a 4.52 40-yard dash, 35 inch vertical and an 11 inch broad jump. San Francisco pounced on the athletic tight end with their fifth round draft pick and he assumed the starting tight end position quickly thereafter.

In his rookie season, Kittle finished third in total receptions on the team with 43, second on the team in receiving yards with 515, and second on the team with two touchdowns. With a year under his belt and an offseason to work with new franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, many analysts were pegging Kittle as a breakout candidate.

He hasn’t disappointed so far. Kittle currently ranks as the number one tight end in all of football according to Pro Football Focus with a 90.0 overall grade. In just four games, he already has 18 catches for 316 yards and one touchdown. Those numbers over a full 16-game slate would equate to  72 catches for 1,264 yards.

While some fantasy football folks are worried about a dip in production from Kittle now that Jimmy G isn’t throwing him the ball, yesterday’s game should help quiet that noise. Playing with his former college quarterback, Kittle brought in six catches for 125 yards and one touchdown.

Needless to say, Kittle had some people talking on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/JetMckinnon1/status/1046531689734856704

I’m excited to see Kittle continue this great start to his sophomore year, and you can count on us providing you coverage along the way.