The NCAA transfer portal claimed another player off Pitt’s roster Tuesday morning when Christian Veilleux announced on his X account that he is leaving the program.
I would like to thank the University of Pittsburgh, as well as coach Narduzzi, Coach Cignetti, and coach Bell. I had a great time here in Pittsburgh. I will be entering the transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility. #H2P pic.twitter.com/XUCoEX3YdQ
— Chr1st1an Vei11eux (@VeilleuxQB11) April 16, 2024
This time, unlike Monday when defensive end Dayon Hayes said he was planning to enter the portal, Pitt has plenty of reinforcements. Veilleux spent only one season at Pitt and was one of five scholarship quarterbacks on the roster this spring. He was passed on the depth chart last season by 2024 QB1 Nate Yarnell.
But this wasn’t the plan a little more than a year ago when Veilleux transferred from Penn State. Veilleux was positioned to back up Phil Jurkovec with the possibility of ascending to the starting job this season.
But when Jurkovec struggled and was benched after five games, Veilleux became the starter and gave the team renewed hope in his first start when he led a 38-21 upset victory against previously undefeated Louisville.
Veilleux had other productive moments over his final four starts, including throwing for 302 yards and two touchdowns at Wake Forest. But after completing 28 of 45 passes, he failed to run out the clock with 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter by giving himself up on a designed run 1 yard short of a first down. Pitt was forced to punt, and Wake Forest rallied for a 21-17 victory.
Veilleux started the next four games before Yarnell replaced him for the final two. Overall, Veilleux completed 94 of 184 passes (51%) for 1,179 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.
In the offseason, coach Pat Narduzzi recruited over Veilleux, signing Eli Holstein, a transfer from Alabama. In the spring game Saturday, Holstein completed 10 of 23 passes for 128 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Veilleux was in the game long enough to attempt only six passes, all incomplete.
After entering the portal, Veilleux, 21, will have two years of eligibility.
