BISMARCK, ND –
Danny Kittner, arguably the most decorated player in the history of University of Mary football, is getting to showcase his talents at the highest level. The Chicago Bears of the National Football League extended an invitation to the Marauders All-American wide receiver and kick returner to compete in the team's rookie minicamp Friday and Saturday, May 5-6, in Lake Forest, IL.
"Going through this process has been a great experience. I've really enjoyed it," Kittner told the Bismarck Tribune regarding his preparation for professional football. "All I was asking for was an opportunity and that's what I got.
"I really had no idea at all what to expect. I was just kind of waiting to see what would happen knowing anything could happen. To get the call was exciting. To have this opportunity, that's all I could ever ask for. Now, it's about performing.
"I'm grateful and blessed and just looking forward to going there and showing them what I can do."
A unanimous All-American as a junior in 2021 and an All-American selection in 2022, Kittner finished his career as the all-time UMary and Northern Sun leader in catches and receiving yards.
A Harlon Hill nominee for the second straight season, Kittner was selected to the 2022 Northern Sun 1st team as both a wide receiver and a return specialist and is one of only three Marauders to earn All-NSIC 1
st team honors three straight seasons. He was a 1
st team all-conference selection twice at wide receiver and twice as a kick returner, earning honors at both positions in 2022.
Kittner finished an epic career with 291 receptions for 3,651 yards and 29 receiving touchdowns. In addition to also leading the Marauders in career receptions and yards, he is 4th all-time in school history in receiving touchdowns (29) and 3rd in total touchdowns (31).
The Gilbert, AZ, native finished the 2022 season with 90 catches for 986 yards and five touchdowns. He was second in the NSIC in catches and third in yards. Nationally the All-American finished the regular season 4th in receptions/game (8.2) and 22nd in receiving yards/game (89.6).
As a return specialist, Kittner averaged 26.0 yards/return on 24 attempts, including a 92 yard return for a score. He led the NSIC in kick return average and was 20th in NCAA Division II. He also returned 11 punts for 79 yards, an average of 7.2 yards/return.
Additionally Kittner was 1st in the NSIC and 14th nationally in all purpose yardage with 151.8 yards/game. He broke his own school record this season for all purpose yards in a single game with 381 on homecoming against MSU Moorhead to earn NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Not limited to just catching balls, Kittner tossed two touchdown passes this season, completing 3-of-5 pass attempts for 36 yards. He was also the Marauders holder on kicks.
DANNY KITTNER CAREER HONORS
NDAPSSA College Male Athlete of the Year (2021-22)
Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-America 1st team (2021, 2022)
D2Football.com Elite 100 1st team (2021)
D2Football.com Elite 100 squad (2022)
The College Football Network 2021 TCFBN All-American D-2 1st Team (2021)
Associate Press All-America 1st team (2021)
AFCA All-American 1st team (2021)
D2CCA All-American 1st team (2021)
D2CCA Super Region 4 Offensive Player of the Year (2021)
D2CCA Super Region 4 1st team (2021, 2022)
Northern Sun Offensive Player of the Year (2021)
All-Northern Sun North Division 1st team (wide receiver 2021, 2022 | kick returner 2019, 2022)
NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 22, 2022)
D2Football.com Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 22, 2022)
D2Football.com Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 13, 2021)
This is the second straight season a Marauders wide receiver has earned an invitation to attend the Bears rookie minicamp. All-American Luke Little competed at the Bears minicamp in 2022.
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