Pittsburgh starting QB projections 2024: Who will be Pat Narduzzi's QB1?
Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi has six quarterbacks to choose from ahead of the upcoming college football season. Former starter Christian Veilleux has taken his talents to the Georgia State Panthers, freeing up the QB1 slot.
Getting the right QB1 will be crucial for Pittsburgh's progress in 2024. So, here we will look at the Panthers' starting QB projections for 2024.
Who will be Pat Narduzzi's QB1 in 2024?
Nate Yarnell
According to Pittsburgh Sports Now, Pat Narduzzi has confirmed that Nate Yarnell will be the team's starting QB for the upcoming college football season. Yarnell ended last season as Pittsburgh's starting QB, and he'll maintain his QB1 slot for the foreseeable future.
Yarnell played in four games in 2023, starting the last two contests for the season. The Lake Travis High School product was crucial in Pittsburgh's 24-16 win over Boston College. His emergence is a major reason for Christian Veilleux's departure from Pittsburgh.
Yarnell enters his fourth year with the Panthers, and Narduzzi will reward his patience. However, he'll need to be on his A game, as there's a bevy of decent QBs chirping at his spot.
Eli Holstein
Eli Holstein is the closest player to Nate Yarnell on the Pittsburgh depth chart. Holstein enrolled at Pittsburgh in January 2024 after transferring from Alabama.
The Zachary High School product has the markings of a future starter on Narduzzi's offense, with his dual-threat ability a solid trait. You rarely see a 6-4, 225-pound QB with Holstein's passing ability.
Jake Frantl
Jake Frantl has been a backup option for Pittsburgh for years, and he enters the 2024 college football season as the team's QB3. Frantl joined the Panthers as a training camp walk-on in 2021, eventually earning a full-time roster spot. He's yet to start a game for the program, but he's closer than ever entering the season.
Other QBs on the roster are Ty Dieffenbach, Julian Dugger and David Lynch. It's unlikely they will see significant action in the upcoming season.