Pitt will, and should, look to the transfer portal to bring in another QB to compete. A lot of fans think that is the answer to replace Pickett next year. But I expect Patti to be the starter next year.
Remember, Yellen was a transfer; he was a high 4-star QB, who in his lone start as a true freshman threw for 4 TDs against USC. And after being the first backup option and playing last year, he is now fourth on the QB depth chart.
Oh, and remember Max Browne, the 5-star QB grad transfer from USC?? Yeah.
So, if we get a highly ranked QB transfer, everyone will get excited again. Maybe we’ll get someone this time who can actually play at a high level. We should try at least, but I’m not holding my breath.
Regarding Patti, most of his PT so far was as a redshirt freshman in 2019. He started and won (barely) against Delaware, his first action, and then against UCF, where he played two series, throwing a key TD pass on one. Not overly impressive, but his stat line for the year was solid; 26 for 43 (61%), 3 TDs, one pick. He’s had only spot duty the past two years, mostly in mop up time.
Now, most fans seem to want to write him off; at best, a reasonable game manager, with no upside -- based on what they’ve seen so far. But I’ll argue that what we’ve seen so far is not indicative of much. I don’t know how good he will end up being, but I’ll reserve judgment until later.
If he is the starter next year, he’ll be a fifth year senior, 22 ½ years old, wiser, and more experienced -- not the 19-year old redshirt frosh we saw in 2019 who got thrown into action unexpectedly, with little preparation. He’ll get most of the first team reps in the spring and fall camp and the OC’s primary attention. He's had a couple of years learning behind Pickett, and he's always the one sitting next to and talking with Pickett on the sidelines.
Kid moves well in the pocket, has quick feet, a quick release, throws an accurate ball for the most part. Can he read defenses and find secondary receivers? I don’t know. But being ahead of Beville and Yellen on the depth chart says something about what the coaches think of him, although it could mean they just think that the other two don’t have it.
Let’s face it, our QB next year will be a drop off from this year’s version of Pickett. It’s inevitable, but I’m not putting a lot of hope into getting a transfer, nor am I dreading the idea that it will be Patti. He could actually have a good year.
Remember, Yellen was a transfer; he was a high 4-star QB, who in his lone start as a true freshman threw for 4 TDs against USC. And after being the first backup option and playing last year, he is now fourth on the QB depth chart.
Oh, and remember Max Browne, the 5-star QB grad transfer from USC?? Yeah.
So, if we get a highly ranked QB transfer, everyone will get excited again. Maybe we’ll get someone this time who can actually play at a high level. We should try at least, but I’m not holding my breath.
Regarding Patti, most of his PT so far was as a redshirt freshman in 2019. He started and won (barely) against Delaware, his first action, and then against UCF, where he played two series, throwing a key TD pass on one. Not overly impressive, but his stat line for the year was solid; 26 for 43 (61%), 3 TDs, one pick. He’s had only spot duty the past two years, mostly in mop up time.
Now, most fans seem to want to write him off; at best, a reasonable game manager, with no upside -- based on what they’ve seen so far. But I’ll argue that what we’ve seen so far is not indicative of much. I don’t know how good he will end up being, but I’ll reserve judgment until later.
If he is the starter next year, he’ll be a fifth year senior, 22 ½ years old, wiser, and more experienced -- not the 19-year old redshirt frosh we saw in 2019 who got thrown into action unexpectedly, with little preparation. He’ll get most of the first team reps in the spring and fall camp and the OC’s primary attention. He's had a couple of years learning behind Pickett, and he's always the one sitting next to and talking with Pickett on the sidelines.
Kid moves well in the pocket, has quick feet, a quick release, throws an accurate ball for the most part. Can he read defenses and find secondary receivers? I don’t know. But being ahead of Beville and Yellen on the depth chart says something about what the coaches think of him, although it could mean they just think that the other two don’t have it.
Let’s face it, our QB next year will be a drop off from this year’s version of Pickett. It’s inevitable, but I’m not putting a lot of hope into getting a transfer, nor am I dreading the idea that it will be Patti. He could actually have a good year.
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