Pitt lands transfer QB Phil Jurkovec from Boston College
PITTSBURGH (BVM) – It’s been a busy day for the Pitt coaching staff who started things off with the news that 2022 starting quarterback Kedon Slovis would be entering the transfer portal, and ended it with the addition of Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec. The 6-foot-5 dual-threat quarterback announced his decision to return home to Pittsburgh after putting his name into the transfer mix to start the month.
Transfer quarterback Phil Jurkovec tells ESPN that he’s committed to transfer to Pitt. He informed the Pitt coaching staff today. Jurkovec both returns home and reunites with his former OC from BC, Frank Cignetti Jr. pic.twitter.com/2rtZDh02kx
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 5, 2022
A return back to the area is a long time coming for Jurkovec who passed on the program coming out of high school and after his transfer from Notre Dame to Boston College. The move allows Jurkovec to reunite with offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti who held the same position during his time with the Eagles.
“I’m thankful to Coach Narduzzi and Coach Cignetti and the University of Pittsburgh for allowing me the opportunity to come home and compete,” Jurkovec told ESPN.
Jurkovec played in 24 games throughout his three seasons at Boston College, leading the Eagles to a 12-12 total record. The Pittsburgh native has struggled to stay on the field in recent seasons, with a wrist injury sidelining him in 2021 for six games, while multiple injuries in the 2022 campaign would go on to tack on four more. When he has been on the field, Jurkovec has gone on to pass for more than 5,000 yards and 35 touchdowns during his Eagles tenure. After opening his collegiate career at Notre Dame, the recent transfer to Pitt now marks Jurkovec’s second move through the portal.
The arrival of Jurkovec also comes with the departure of this year’s Panthers starter who headed the team in 11 games. Slovis entered his name into the portal on Monday after transferring from USC to the program last December. After three seasons with the Trojans, Slovis took part in an up-and-down opening year in Pittsburgh, passing for 2,397 yards and ten touchdowns in the team’s 8-4 2022 campaign.
Anybody else missing @BCFootball as much as me??
Needed a pick-me-up. So here are the best Phil Jurkovec RUSHING plays from 2021 (pt. 1): pic.twitter.com/UvPgH0qsVD
— Curtis Flannery (@CurtisFlannery) July 20, 2022
With Slovis now gone, and Jurkovec in, the quarterback picture heading into 2023 has become a little bit more clear. With one year of eligibility remaining, Jurkovec will likely have to compete for the job with current backup Nick Patti, who can exercise another year of eligibility as well. With the recent commitment from the Boston College transfer, the job should be his to lose.
