PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pitt Panthers and Steelers are similar when it comes to having a veteran quarterback decide to come back for this season. Where they are different, the Steelers have some question as to who their backup will be. For Pitt, it’s locked in.
Redshirt Junior Nick Patti is Kenny Pickett’s backup, beating out Joey Yellen (R-So, transfer from Arizona State who once threw four TD vs. USC), Davis Beville (R-So, 4-star recruit and 3-year starter in HS), Nate Yarnell (Fr, Top 25 ranked pro-style passer). Patti says he remains the same even with the designation.
“It doesn’t really change at all,” Patti said. “Still competing throughout the season, trying to get better every day. Get everyone better from Kenny to me to Joey to Davis to Nate, the other guys we got. Get everyone better every day.”
Patti scored a couple of rushing touchdowns as the goal-line quarterback against Florida State in 2020. He was the backup in 2019, starting against Delaware and going 23 of 37 for 271 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The New Jersey native says he just feels settled on the field now.
“More reps, more knowledgeable,” Patti said. “Definitely more confident. Having this offense for a third year you learn things from year two that you didn’t know. Getting more reps every day you get a lot more confident.”
“It allows you to try more things out in practice and see what works and what doesn’t. It’s just another year of improving and being comfortable. That is the biggest thing, if you are confident and comfortable, then you are good to go.”
You have to imagine it was hard hearing that Pickett was coming back this season. Patti would have likely been the starter. He took the high road, though, in describing how he took that news.
“Just get to learn behind a great quarterback for another year,” Patti said. “I got a good relationship with Kenny. Whatever decision he made, I knew would be the best for him. I want the best for Kenny. Happy he came back.”
Along with the confidence and comfort with the offense, Patti believes they are making strides with the run game. The 6’3”, QB also believes in his wide receivers, and some of the lessor known ones like Jayon Barden and Jaden Bradley. He also singled out freshman tight end Gavin Bartholomew, who is said they took notice of the minute he stepped in a practice.
“We got a lot of guys,” Patti said. “The thing you see this year is the twos and threes when they go. They know what they are doing. They are assigned, they are aligned. They are confident and they play like they are ready to go. We got 10-12 deep that can go on the field and we feel comfortable with.”
You might say that about the depth at quarterback, but Patti has seized that spot.