Pat Narduzzi Says Phil Jurkovec Sticking at QB

Pitt Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi pushed back on reports that Phil Jurkovec is making a position change.

PITTSBURGH -- After he had been removed from his post as starting quarterback for the Pitt Panthers, Phil Jurkovec had reportedly been exploring a position change, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

But this week, as the Panthers look ahead to a date with No. 14 Louisville, Narduzzi said that Jurkovec will stick with quarterbacks during the remainder of his time at Pitt, leaving the door open for him to potentially seek an opportunity as a tight end further down the road. 

“Rumors get out there, I guess or whatever you want to call it, but he’s been in the quarterback meetings. He’s a quarterback," Narduzzi said. "Could he be a tight end someday? Yeah, but we’re talking down the line. He’s a quarterback here at Pitt.”

Narduzzi said Jurkovec did not run routes during any team drills last week at practice and when asked if he did so during individual drills, said "I don't recall."

The Panthers already have a full tight end room, led by Gavin Bartholomew, Karter Johnson and Malcolm Epps. Jurkovec certainly has the size to make such a switch at 6'5 and 245 pounds, but whether he has the skills and motivation to do so remains to be seen. 

Narduzzi added that Jurkovec took his benching in stride and is willing to do whatever he must to help the team win. 

“Phil’s an unbelievable guy. Phil will do whatever you ask him to do and he just wants to win. He doesn’t care," Narduzzi said.  Phil took it like a champion, like I expected him to and, like I said, he’ll do anything we ask him to do. He’ll run down on a kickoff, he’ll play defense, he’ll do anything.”

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