The NCAA granted Pitt redshirt freshman quarterback Joey Yellen immediate eligibility Friday, giving him the opportunity to challenge sophomore Nick Patti and redshirt freshman Davis Beville for the No. 2 job behind senior starter Kenny Pickett.
Yellen enrolled in January after one season at Arizona State (2019) and an appearance in only one game.
In that game, he suffered a shoulder injury early, but still completed 28 of 44 passes (64%) for 292 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-26 loss to USC. He was subbing for injured Arizona State starter Jayden Daniels.
Pitt has four quarterbacks on scholarship, including Patti, who led Pitt to a 17-14 victory against Delaware last season, completing 23 of 37 passes for 271 yards two touchdowns and one interception. Beville redshirted last season and did not appear in any games.
Walk-ons Eli Kosanovich, an Aliquippa graduate, and Logan Clouse of Mendham, N.J., give Pitt six quarterbacks on the roster.
Yellen could help Pitt in the short term and in the future, offering coach Pat Narduzzi another option for 2021 after Pickett graduates.
“This is outstanding news for Joey and our entire program,” Narduzzi said in a statement. “He’s been such a great addition, on and off the field, for us. We’re thrilled for him and his family. We are all very grateful for our compliance staff’s excellent work throughout this process.”
Said Yellen: “I’m very happy to have received this news from the NCAA, and I appreciate them making this decision on my situation. I am excited to be able to be available for my team this season and look forward to helping out any way I can.”
Yellen played at Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School, winning 22 of 25 games and throwing for 6,131 yards and 57 touchdowns, with 14 interceptions. He was invited to the Under Armour All-American Game.
