Pitt FB Recruiting
Pitt QB Commit Nate Yarnell’s Summer ‘In a Holding Pattern’
Pitt got their quarterback for this years recruiting class back in April when three-star Austin, Texas passer Nate Yarnell decided to end his recruitment early and choose the Panthers. Landing Yarnell was important for Pitt because they didn’t bring in a high school quarterback in their Class of 2020.
With only starting a handful of games in his career playing behind Class of 2020 Texas commit Hudson Card, Yarnell was hoping to game more in-game experience this season for his Lake Travis High School team and to work on improving certain aspects of his game.
The question is, will their be high school football in Texas this season in order to allow Yarnell to continue his development?
Pittsburgh Sports Now had a chance to catch up this weekend with Yarnell to get an update on where things stand in Texas and to find out the communication he’s had with the Pitt staff since committing to the program.
“We’re still in a holding pattern for now,” said Yarnell. “Honestly, it changes so often that I really don’t know what we’re going to do. I think that we’re still trying to have a season as far as I know. It’s really tough but as a team, we’re all really in this together. Everyday, we’re just doing what we can to stay prepared and really that’s all we can do.
Courtesy of Nate Yarnell
“We had a few days this summer where we were able to have team workouts. We were able to go out and work on plays but haven’t been able to do that now for a month because things have been shutdown. As far as now, we’re just lifting on our own, and getting the chance to throw with minimal people, making sure we’re social distancing.”
While he’s working in hopes of playing this season, Yarnell has also been able to have constant communication with his future coaches at Pitt, which includes his future quarterback coach and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple.
“The communication between us has been great,” said Yarnell. “I talk with Coach Whipple at least once a week and definitely have stayed in communication with him a lot. I had a Zoom call with some of the Pitt guys and had a chance to see what everyone out there is up to. It’s been really good and I’ve definitely interacted with them a lot.
“Coach [Whipple] has asked me to get video of me throwing and that sort of thing so I can send it to him. He just wants to see where I’m at and wants to help guide me a little bit. As far as coaching, he’s not too hands on but he’s definitely checking in and making sure that I’m getting ready.”
Yarnell decided to commit to Pitt without ever visiting the campus, but that’s not an issue as he says he’s committed to Pitt more than ever and nothing will change that.
“I’m so thankful to be in the position I am along with the other great commitments in our class,” said Yarnell. “Coach Narduzzi really trusted in me and let me commit there and I am so thankful to be where I am. I haven’t had any interaction or contact from any other programs and I’m just totally focused on the great class that we currently have. We’re hoping to limit what happened with that [Trevion Stevenson] as much as we can.”
