PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There was no change in direction. No altering of the plan even with a local recruit and Alabama transfer added to the roster. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi remains with Nate Yarnell as his starting quarterback as Spring drills opened on Monday.
The redshirt junior started the last two games of the 2023 season as the third different Panthers starting quarterback. He was a big part of the 24-16 win over Boston College throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Against the Blue Devils, he threw for 265 yards with a touchdown and a pick.
"I felt like he's never taken snaps with the ones or twos," said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi, noting he doesn't make those decisions. "He did a pretty darn good job in there during the season for a guy that never took reps with the ones and twos. To me he deserves that opportunity to see where he could go from there."
"It means everything to have a coach have confidence in you and believe in you, it means a lot," Yarnell said. "It definitely allows me to just go out there and play football. It allows me to be the best I can be. I want to be the best team guy I can be and make sure we are going in the right direction."
Narduzzi said he had only one conversation with Yarnell about being the starter. He expects him to prepare and play the same way. The Pitt head coach said the players trust Yarnell, but it's up to him to do it now with the attention on him.
"I think leadership goes with making plays and being the guy," Narduzzi said. "I think everyone wants to see him go out and do it."
You might think given his 6'6" frame that Yarnell would have preferred the Frank Cignetti offense of more huddle and pocket play. He's actually excited with the movement and speed of how Pitt expects to play under new offensive coordinator Cade Bell. It's how he played in high school.
"Extremely excited, to be honest," Yarnell said. "The speed that we are going to play at is something that I am used to. It will play to my strengths. To see it in practice with Coach Bell, it was so much fun."
Yarnell said he was impressed after the first workout of the Spring. The Texas native said the team is getting it as they work with an entirely new offensive coaching staff. He said the quarterback room is working well together and he and Christian Veilleux (who started five games in 2023) are sharing information. Yarnell is ready to take his game to the next level.
"I think it's an advantage. Going faster, I think I am able to process it just as quickly. It will just make the defenses easier to read and understand."
This team and program were humbled last year finishing with only three wins following a bowl-winning season and ACC Championship. As a leader, Yarnell says it's time to prove it on the field.
"Definitely sense a different vibe than last year," Yarnell said. "There is no room for complacency anymore. We are not here to be average. Last year we obviously could have been better, everybody knows that and everybody feels sick about it."
"We are all moving in the right direction now."
