Pat Narduzzi Likes the Pitt QB Room… Right Now

Pitt has brought in three transfer quarterbacks over the last two offseasons, and it’s possible that the quarterback best suited to run the offense has been in Pittsburgh the entire time.

It’s a much smaller sample size for Nate Yarnell, with just one start against a middling Boston College squad, but he’s delivered when called upon in each of his opportunities. And Pat Narduzzi, who decided to insert Yarnell into the lineup before the Boston College game, is OK with the quarterbacks room.

For now.

“I like it right now, but again, that can change quickly,” Narduzzi said Monday at his weekly press conference. “Again, you look at Christian is a really good quarterback that’s talented, and we’ll continue to work with him, and obviously Nate had a heck of a weekend, and we want him to have another great weekend to back that up. Ty Dieffenbach, don’t forget about him.”

Phil Jurkovec started the season as the starting quarterback, in his final season of eligibility, and he’s currently working as a tight end. That led to Christian Veilleux and Nate Yarnell battling for the second opportunity to start, and it was really Veilleux’s job to lose since arriving from Penn State in the offseason.

Veilleux showed flashes, notably in an upset win against now-No. 10 Louisville with 200 yards and two touchdowns through the air, but he turned. the ball over eight times in a three-game stretch against now-No. 18 Notre Dame, now-No. 5 Florida State and Syracuse. And despite the arm talent, that’s not going to fly under Narduzzi.

Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Christian Veilleux (11) November 4, 2023 David Hague/PSN

Yarnell, who played in just two games before stepping into the starting role against Boston College, made just his second career start at Pitt — the first since leading the Panthers to a win against Western Michigan last season. And unlike that time, Yarnell didn’t run a skeleton offense. The playbook was wide open, and his comfortability was clear to see. He completed 11-of-19 pass attempts for 207 yards and a touchdown — adding another touchdown on the ground.

It’s not a stat line that really jumps off the page, but it was ultra-efficient. Yarnell didn’t turn the ball over, which is the No. 1 ask in a Frank Cignetti Jr. offense. He stood in the pocket, went through his progressions and hit his receivers to move the sticks and score. It was the most comfortable I’ve seen a Pitt quarterback look this season.

Narduzzi made sure to mention Yarnell all throughout the offseason and even into the season, but it took time for him to receive an opportunity.

“Well, we like him all the time, and sometimes as coaches, you’re kind of maybe looking at the most talented guy, but mentally Nate is as talented as anybody in that room, probably the most talented guy mentally,” Narduzzi said.

“Like I said a year ago when we took him off that scout field, he wasn’t sitting in a room being quiet, not paying attention, and all of a sudden, ‘Oh, my gosh, it’s my turn.’ He was prepared, and that’s who he is. It didn’t shock me at all that Nate did what he did.”

Narduzzi said that Yarnell is a quarterback who can work through his progressions, just like all of the quarterbacks in the room, but it was clear in Yarnell’s lone start that he was comfortable. He looked more comfortable than either Jurkovec or Yarnell — more willing to progress through his reads and not dump the ball off if the first read wasn’t there.

No one would confuse Yarnell for a dual threat, but he’s athletic enough to pick up third downs on option plays and extend plays with his mobility. He ran for 20 yards and a touchdown against Boston College — converting a couple of third downs in the process.

Yarnell and Veilleux are expected to return to Pitt next season, and they’re not alone. Ty Dieffenbach, a true freshman who redshirted this season, will also be around. Dieffenbach, a big, tall kid from California who committed late in the 2023 cycle, was a little banged up in camp, dealing with a collarbone issue.

“But ever since — he came back quickly, so he’s a fast healer,” Narduzzi said. “That’s good to know. He’s done a great job. We’ve gotten a lot of pass skellies. He hasn’t gone live. But we’ve been excited about his mental preparation and what he’s done in that room, and he’s athletic. He can run. He can throw. He can think. He’s just another guy that we’re excited about.”

So, Pitt is currently expecting to have Yarnell, Veilleux, Dieffenbach and 2024 three-star verbal commit Julian Dugger. But, with the unpredictability of the transfer portal and changes that could be implemented at Pitt this offseason, there’s always the chance for a move — and Narduzzi basically acknowledged as much.

The transfer portal officially opens on Dec. 4, and it should be an eventful offseason for the Panthers.