Pitt QB Nate Yarnell Enters Transfer Portal

Pitt Panthers quarterback Nate Yarnell entered the transfer portal.
Nov 23, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA;  Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nate Yarnell (19) looks to pass against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nate Yarnell (19) looks to pass against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images / Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers lost one of their quarterbacks heading into next season, as redshirt junior Nate Yarnell announced he is entering the transfer portal.

"I have been truly blessed to play quarterback for the University of Pittsburgh," Yarnell wrote in his announcement post on Twitter. "I gave my heart and soul to the University for the past four years. I am proud of all we accomplished together as a team.

"I want to say thank you to my teammates, coaches and all support staff that I've had the opportunity to work with and learn from over my time as a Panther. The lessons I have learned from all of you will stay with me throughout the rest of my life.

"I am excited that I have two years of eligibility remaining. I am committed to using that time to be the best leader, teammate and quarterback I can be. To that end, I am entering the transfer portal as a graduate student."

Yarnell played for Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas, a three-strar recruit in the Class of 2021 and committed to Pitt on April 30, 2020.

He enrolled early in 2021, but didn't play at all that season, serving as a member of the ACC Championship team.

Yarnell made an emergency start the following season in 2022, after both Pitt quarterbacks, Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti, suffered injuries in the loss to then ranked No. 24 Tennessee in Week 2 at home.

He got that start the following game on the road vs. Western Michigan in Week 3, completing 9-of-12 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, leading Pitt to a 34-13 victory.

Yarnell came on one more time that season in 2022 in the Sun Bowl. He came in for two plays late in the first half, while Patti had to sit out, but would head back to the bench as Patti returned later and would lead Pitt to a 37-35 win over UCLA.

He came off the bench in two games the following season, losses to Notre Dame on the road in Week 9 and against Syracuse at Yankee Stadium in Week 11.

Yarnell earned his first start of 2023 against Boston College at home in Week 12. He completed 11-of-19 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown and also ran five times for 24 yards and a touchdown in the 24-16 victory.

He earned another start in the season finale vs. Duke on the road in Week 13. He completed 25-of-35 passes, 71.4%, for 265 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-19 loss.

Yarnell came out of the ensuing spring practices as the starter, but would lose that spot to Alabama transfer and redshirt freshman Eli Holstein before the season started.

Holstein would deal with in-game injuries in 2024, forcing Yarnell to come in, doing so in the 41-13 win at home vs. Syracuse after suffering hard hit out of bounds in Week 9 and in the 24-19 loss to Virginia at home in Week 11.

Holstein would play the following week after Syracuse vs. then ranked No. 20 SMU on the road in Week 10, but didn't perform well in the 48-25 loss, completing 29-of-48 passes for 248 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

He would rush five yards and slide down on a drive in the third quarter, but Virginia junior linebacker Trey McDonald hit Holstein late and hard. He took off his helmet and medical personnel rushed off to help him out.

The officials would disqualify McDonald, after determing the hit qualified for a targeting penalty.

Yarnell had to come in and struggled, completing just 4-of-12 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown and two interceptions in the defeat vs. the Cavaliers.

Yarnell would have to start for Pitt vs. Clemson in Week 12, with Holstein still not medically cleared for the game.

He improved his play, as he completed 34-of-54 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown and an interception in the 24-20 loss to the Tigers. He almost lead the Panthers to a victory, but a late touchdown from the Tigers and a poor final drive doomed them.

Holstein would also suffer an injury in the 37-9 road loss to Louisville in Week 13.  Medical staff tended to him and had to put an air cast on his left leg. They would also bring out a cart for him and take him off the field.

Yarnell came in and completed 11-of-23 passes for 96 yards, along with one touchdown and one interception and three rushes for 12 yards. Redshirt freshman quarterback and walk-on David Lynch would come in for the final two drives.

He would also start the last regular season game, 34-23 road loss to Boston College in Week 14. Yarnell completed 23-of-42 passes, 54.8%, for 296 yards, a career-high three touchdowns and an interception.

Yarnell ended his final season completing 98-of-167 passes, 58.9%, for 1,056 yards and 10 touchdowns to five interceptions.

Pitt still has a Bowl Game to play in this season and only have Holstein, Lynch, redshirt freshman Ty Dieffenbach and freshman Julian Dugger on the roster at quarterback, with the latter two on scholarship. They also have redshirt junior and walk-on quarterback Jake Frantl.

The Panthers have one incoming quarterback signee in the Class of 2025 in Mason Heintschel out of Clay High School in Oregon, Ohio.

Yarnell is the eighth player to depart Pitt for the transfer portal following the end of the regular season.

This includes fellow redshirt juniors in wide receiver Daejon Reynolds, offensive lineman Terrence Moore, defensive lineman Nakhi Johnson and Elliot Donald and defensive back Noah Biglow, plus running backs in senior Rodney Hammond Jr. and redshirt freshman Montravius Lloyd.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

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Dominic Campbell
DOMINIC CAMPBELL

Follow Dominic Campbell on Twitter.