Florida QB Kyle Trask generated some big-time Heisman Trophy buzz with a 6-touchdown performance in the Gators’ 63-35 win over Arkansas. Trask did it without top target Kyle Pitts. Despite Pitts’ absence, ESPN analyst Desmond Howard said the UF tight end still belongs in the Hesiman conversation.

“When you look at a Kyle Pitts, you really have to rack your brain trying to remember a tight end that can play the position the way he plays the position,” Howard said on “College Football Live,” per Austin Nivison of 247Sports. “That’s how rare and unique Kyle Pitts is as a football player.”

“I do believe we need to start considering other players but the problem is they’re not being considered because, like Greg McElroy just said, we have too many voters,” Howard added. “They’re not really watching the games. They’re looking at statistics. They’re looking at highlights, and they’re forming their opinions based on, ‘Hey, that was on SportsCenter. This guy had that many yards.’ But they’re not really looking at the game. If they did, they would understand a guy like Kyle Pitts — who is a tight end in name and position only ­— is a guy who you really would strongly consider for the Heisman.”

Any Pitts candidacy will be hampered by the junior’s lack of opportunity. Pitts has been in concussion protocol since taking a hard hit in the first half of Florida’s 44-28 win over Georgia. Pitts missed the Arkansas game and Gators head coach Dan Mullen has already said UF’s leader in receiving yards (414) and touchdowns (8) will be out against Vanderbilt.

If Pitts returns after Florida-Vanderbilt, he could have three more regular-season games to make his Heisman case. The Gators play Kentucky, Tennessee and LSU to close out the 2020 regular season. UF is also on track to play in the SEC Championship Game as the division leader in the SEC East.