Quarterback Joey Yellen wasn’t in the transfer portal long last month before Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple reached out to him.

And, now, Yellen, a transfer from Arizona State, finds himself in Whipple’s meeting room, hoping to one day take snaps from center in Pitt’s offense. The Tribune-Review and other media outlets reported Yellen’s decision to transfer to Pitt last week.

“Joey’s recruitment happened incredibly fast,” coach Pat Narduzzi said Monday in a statement, officially announcing Yellen’s enrollment at Pitt. “Mark Whipple made contact with him immediately after he went into the portal in mid-December.

“Joey wanted to be enrolled for the upcoming semester so we basically did an unofficial visit over FaceTime since it was a dead period.

“Even in that tight window, everyone did their homework. I know Joey is excited to be at Pitt and we’re thrilled to get a great person and quarterback.”

Yellen, who is eligible to participate in spring drills this year, is expected to sit out the 2020 season, according to NCAA transfer rules. He can be active for the 2021 season after starting quarterback Kenny Pickett graduates.

Yellen, who will have three years of eligibility, was a freshman at Arizona State during the 2019 season and participated in only one game, starting Nov. 9 against USC as a replacement for injured starter Jayden Daniels. He injured his shoulder in the game, but completed 28 of 44 pass attempts for 292 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in a 31-26 loss to the Trojans.

He started two years at Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School, throwing for 6,131 yards, 57 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while completing 360 of 595 attempts. Mission Viejo was 22-3 in that time. He also was invited to the Under Armour All-American Game as a senior when he threw for 3,516 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Yellen becomes the fourth scholarship quarterback on Pitt’s roster, setting up a position battle in 2021 when he’ll join current redshirt freshman Nick Patti and freshman Davis Beville.

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