Career Summary
Dennis Pitta came to BYU after helping Moorpark High School to the CIF state seminfinals. He played in 50 career games while tallying 221 receptions for 2,901 yards. Pitta recorded 21 touchdowns and had five or more receptions in 23 games as a Cougar. As the NCAA leader in most yards gained by a tight end, Pitta also holds the BYU record for receptions in a season, career receptions and career receiving yards. He caught a career-long 46 yard pass against Northern Iowa in 2008 and helped BYU to a No. 6 national ranking in passing offense the same season. Pitta finished his career with 42 consecutive games with at least one catch and was named an NCAA Consensus All-American tight end, among several other awards. See the season summary tabs below and the recognition and stats tabs for more details.
Professional
Selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens
Personal
Born in Fresno, Calif. ... parents are Dennis and Linda ... served an LDS Church mission in the Dominican Republic ... an Eagle Scout ... father played middle linebacker for California from 1968-1969 ... recruited by Yale, Dartmouth, Navy, Oregon, Oklahoma State and Utah ... married to Mataya Gissel.
Before BYU
A two-year letterwinner in football at Moorpark HS ... also lettered in basketball (1) and track (3) ... a first-team all-county, all-league and all-area selection as a senior ... played both receiver and cornerback for the Musketeers ... helped lead the Musketeers to the CIF state semifinals ... recorded 64 receptions for 1,150 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior ... a four-year scholar-athlete ... a National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete.
Stats
| YEAR | GP | REC | YDS | TD | LONG | AVG/R | AVG/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 11 | 17 | 176 | 2 | 21 | 10.4 | 16.0 |
| 2007 | 13 | 59 | 813 | 5 | 45 | 13.8 | 62.5 |
| 2008 | 13 | 83 | 1,083 | 6 | 46 | 13.0 | 83.3 |
| 2009 | 13 | 62 | 829 | 8 | 35 | 13.4 | 63.8 |
| TOTAL | 50 | 221 | 2,901 | 21 | 46 | 13.1 | 58.0 |
CAREER BESTS
Rec: 12 (at CSU; Nov. 1, 2008)
Yds: 213 (vs. No. Iowa; Aug. 30, 2008)
TD: 2 (five times)
LNG: 46 (vs. No. Iowa; Aug. 30, 2008)
NCAA CAREER RECORDS
Career tight end receiving yards: 2,901 (2004, 07-09)
BYU SEASON & CAREER RECORDS
Receptions by a tight end in a season: 83 (2008)
Career tight end receiving yards: 2,901 (2004, 07-09)
Career tight end receptions: 221 (2004, 07-09)
Career receptions: 221 (2004, 07-09)