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Legendary BYU tight end named to the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Dennis Pitta is getting some praise nearly two decades since his final snap with the Cougars.
ByCalvin Barrett|
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Sep 5, 2009; Arlington, TX, USA; Brigham Young Cougars tight end Dennis Pitta (32) runs after a catch against against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium. The Cougars beat the Sooners 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Sep 5, 2009; Arlington, TX, USA; Brigham Young Cougars tight end Dennis Pitta (32) runs after a catch against against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium. The Cougars beat the Sooners 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Dennis Pitta is arguably the greatest tight end to ever suit up for BYU football. In 50 career games, he hauled in 221 receptions for 2,901 yards and cashed in 21 of those catches for scores. Pitta is the NCAA's all-time leader in yards gained by a tight end and a program record-holder in season receptions, career receptions, and receiving yards at his position.

Finishing his career as a consensus All-American, Pitta was drafted in the fourth round by the Baltimore Ravens, where he would remain for the entirety of his 6-season NFL career, which ended after an injury put his football future in question enough for Baltimore to release the former Coug.

Ok, so maybe his status as the greatest tight end in BYU football history isn't really all that up for debate. With all due respect to legends like Chad Lewis, Johnny Harline, and even Matt Bushman (yeah, I said it), Pitta is in a class all his own and is receiving his rightful respect from the college football community now, nearly two decades removed from his final snap in Provo.

His career left a significant impact on the BYU football program, and the school's legacy of tight ends is only increasing in relevance recently, with Carsen Ryan being drafted in the most recent NFL Draft, Walker Lyons joining the program this season, and multiple four-star tight end prospects (Brock Harris and Ty Goettsche) signing with Kalani Sitake's program in the class of 2026 alone.

The tight end position is alive and well in Provo, but this Hall of Fame ballot honor is a reminder of the exceptional career and undeniable imprint left by a legend of the position. He was a key member of some exceptional BYU football teams from 2004 to 2009 (with a few years' gap for a full-time mission), and was there when the Cougars took down the 3rd-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in Dallas, one of the greatest results in program history.

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