Pitt Leaving Options Open for Starting QB

Phil Jurkovec might be the favorite to start for the Pitt Panthers, but Christian Veilleux is a contender too.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers added three new scholarship quarterbacks to their roster this winter - one through the transfer portal and another from the high school ranks. On paper, the pecking order looked clear, but as spring practices continue, the order has become foggier. 

Jurkovec's decision to transfer play his final season in his hometown led everyone to assume that he would be the slam dunk starter on opening day against Wofford. That said, with redshirt sophomore and lone returning signal caller, Nate Yarnell, plus incoming transfer Christian Veilleux, a Penn State defector, in the Pitt quarterbacks room as well, the competition for a starting job is more open than it seems on the surface. 

As a graduate transfer, Jurkovec certainly didn't come to Pitt expecting to st on the bench, but the coaching staff is leaving no stone unturned as they seek their next starting quarterback. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti doesn't want anyone to have the sense that his spot is set in stone. 

"Like we said when Phil and Christian came in, they knew that there would be a competition here between Phil, Christian and Nate," Cignetti said. "And I think those guys have worked well together.”

The Pitt staff loves Yarnell, a player they recruited directly out of Lake Travis High School in Texas and raved about after his tougness, decision making and accuracy in last fall's win over Western Michigan, when he threw for 175 yards and a touchdown while completing 75% of his passes. Cignetti's also been highly complimentary of Veilleux's raw throwing ability. 

Common in all of these players is not just experience but winning experience. Jurkovec - the oldest of the bunch - has the most extensive resume as a starter. He won 12 games over three seasons that were either cut short or thrown into disaray by injuries. Meanwhile, both Veilleux and Yarnell won their lone games as collegiate starters. Cignetti doesn't take that experience lightly. 

"At this time last year, Nate wasn't even practicing," Cignetti said. "We didn’t even know who Nate was yet. And you got guys, like last year, who have won football games before. Just like last year when we had Kedon and Nick, they had some experience to them. We’re fortunate enough with Phil and with Christian that they’ve won games.”

Veilleux, Yarnell and Jurkovec have all taken turns throwing to the Panthers' top wideouts this spring. With more than a 150 days standing between now and kickoff, Cingetti and the rest of the offensive coaching staff is keeping their options open. Who will be Pitt's starting quarterback at the beginning of the year is still up in the air and if you ask returning starting wideout Bub Means, it'll be a tough decision. 

“Both our quarterbacks are elite," Means said. "Whoever plays, I feel like they’re going to put us in a great position to win.”

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