Nate Yarnell spent four seasons at Pitt, but he’s heading back to Texas for the last two seasons of his college career.
Yarnell — a 6-foot-6, 215-pound quarterback from Austin, Tx. — committed to Texas State on Friday, Sam Khan Jr. of The Athletic reported. It’s a return to his home state and an opportunity to be a full-time starting quarterback for the first time.
He entered the transfer portal earlier this month after an up-and-down tenure in Pittsburgh, in which he did everything asked of him by the coaching staff. Unfortunately for Yarnell, he fell behind Eli Holstein and found himself delegated to a backup status before the season.
Texas State went 7-5 (5-3 Sun Belt) this season and will face North Texas in the First Responders Bowl on Jan. 3.
Yarnell initially committed to Pitt as a three-star out of Lake Travis High in the class of 2021, choosing the Panthers in the midst of COVID-19. He was injured in his senior season and didn’t take a game snap until his start against Western Michigan in 2022.
He started a game in 2022, started the last two games of the 2023 season and one game this season — seeing action in a handful of games with Holstein injured.
He completed 98-of-167 pass attempts for 1,056 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He completed 149-of-243 pass attempts for 1,846 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in his four seasons at Pitt.
Yarnell experienced an up-and-down four seasons at Pitt, taking a beating in his last couple of games this season, but he was a consummate professional the entire time. And he gave everything he had to the university during his time in Pittsburgh.
“I’m just so grateful for the opportunity,” Nate Yarnell said after making his first start last season. “I came to Pitt, I love Pitt and I just really enjoy getting on the field.”
Pitt is set to return Holstein as the starting quarterback, and that’s the most important thing for the Panthers this offseason. He’s got the chance to be a legitimate difference-maker during his time in Pittsburgh. Julian Dugger and Mason Heintschel will be on the roster next season, and the coaching staff will add a veteran signal-caller to the room.
