ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL KICKOFF

July 23, 2024

Nate Yarnell

Pitt Panthers

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Nate.

Q. In the past Coach Narduzzi mentioned how other quarterbacks in the quarterback room have challenged you in the off-season. How have them challenging you helped you become better as a player and leader?

NATE YARNELL: I'm a big believer in competition is important in order to be the best player, person you can be. Eli, Christian, who left in the spring, both those guys really pushed me. Seeing that, I know I got to lead by example and make sure that that room is playing at the highest level they can.

Real excited about those guys. I love being in that room with everybody in there.

Q. Earlier Commissioner Phillips deemed the ACC Conference the conference of the quarterbacks. How do you aim to meet that expectation in your own play this season?

NATE YARNELL: My expectations for the season is to make sure I listen to Coach Bell and make sure I'm operating the offense as best I can. I've been blessed to be around Kenny Pickett my freshman year, see what a great Pitt quarterback looks like.

I know the ACC has a long tradition of great quarterbacks. I'm going to do my best to make sure Pitt wins football games this year.

Q. Back to the Kade Bell question. He took a Western Carolina program, transformed it into an amazing offense, passing game. What have you seen from him that you think is going to transform this offense and your game?

NATE YARNELL: Biggest thing Coach Bell brings is standard. From the first day he walked in, I knew we were going to be good just because he expects us to be perfect. He walks in, everybody is sitting up paying attention in the meeting room. You don't know your plays, you're out, next guy is coming in. That standard, that expectation is what a team needs to be great.

I'm really excited about everything he's doing offensively. Obviously we're going to play fast. That's something I'm really excited about, something I've done in the past in high school. I'm really looking forward to playing for him this year.

Q. What's got to happen for a guy down here, Gavin, to get the ball a little bit more this year?

NATE YARNELL: I know definitely some people want to make sure he gets the ball. I'm on that team, on the team getting Gavin the ball. I think he can make plays with it. The question earlier, when he gets the ball in his hands, he's going to get yards. That's important. I'm definitely going to feed him. Got a great relationship. My roommate freshman year.

Q. I would imagine sibling rivalry was a thing in your house with three brothers.

NATE YARNELL: We were pretty spread out. Not a lot of sibling rivalry. My older brother, someone I look up to, an F-35 pilot. Seeing him growing up, all the great things he was doing, I always wanted to live up to him. Now my two younger brothers, they're getting into football, getting serious about it. Yeah, I love my brothers.

Q. Where do you get your patience from? The last full season as a quarterback, probably junior in high school, here you are several years later, really big opportunity in front of you. You waited a long time for it. Who has been helping you along the way to stay focused?

NATE YARNELL: My patience comes from how much I love Pittsburgh, to be honest you, how much I respect Coach Narduzzi, how much I love my teammates. I wanted to play at Pitt from my freshman year on. I didn't want to give that up. I didn't want to transfer. I wanted to play here, I wanted to win here. I want to give back to the city, what it's given to me. I'm really excited about this year.