With experienced hands, Phil Jurkovec holds the keys to Pitt's offense

Phil Jurkovec turns 24 on Nov. 3, the day before Pitt plays Florida State, which (if all goes as well as some of the spring forecasts are insisting) could be a monumental game between two of the ACC’s best teams.

You are reminded of Jurkovec’s birthday not to flood him with well wishes, but to point out this little nugget: Kenny Pickett played his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the same age. Jurkovec is only 17 months younger than the former Heisman Trophy finalist.

Jurkovec has been through the requisite adversity and has confronted several different defenses over the years. He’s no Pickett, but nothing should surprise him this season.

The experience gained and life lessons learned at Pine-Richland, Notre Dame, Boston College and his first few months at Pitt should serve Jurkovec well as he accepts the immense responsibility all quarterbacks must carry with them.

So far, so good, but there’s such a long way to go.

While Pitt’s spring drills were ending last week – much to chagrin of senior center Jake Kradel, who would play on Butler High School’s concrete parking lot, if necessary – Jurkovec was cementing his relationship with his new teammates. That’s the first step.

Great group of guys, proud to be apart of this brotherhood! https://t.co/aDq6ask2lZ

— Chr1st1an Vei11eux (@VeilleuxQB11) April 16, 2023

Forget the Blue-Gold Game stats. Jurkovec played only a half and threw seven passes Saturday. Nate Yarnell threw more against Western Michigan.

Jurkovec’s body of work in the spring was a reminder of what offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. taught him at Boston College.

“I had to adapt back to the offense,” Jurkovec said. “Switching into a different offense (in 2022 after Cignetti left BC) and now coming back to coach Cignetti’s offense, it’s kind of re-learning it. But it’s come back quickly.”

Indeed, Cignetti pointed out Jurkovec’s “good, decisive decisions” throughout the spring.

He also has formed a bond with his teammates. He was an onlooker in practice when a few minor skirmishes unfolded, but he didn’t hate it. “People were getting chippy, just because they care,” Jurkovec said. “I know they’re going to bring an edge.”

There is plenty to like about what coach Pat Narduzzi is assembling in his ninth season. The defense lost seven players who could end up in NFL camps this summer, but recruiting and retention efforts have been good.

• Starting linebackers Shayne Simon and Bangally Kamara return.

• Few teams can surpass Pitt’s experience at cornerback. Marquis Williams, M.J. Devonshire and A.J. Woods have played a combined total of 129 games.

• The offensive line appears to be better than a year ago. Defensive coordinator Randy Bates said, “Our O-line is way more physical.”

• Jurkovec has appeared to build trust with wide receiver Bub Means. “Bub is just so aggressive with the ball,” he said. “Any time the ball’s in the air, you trust he’s going to go and attack it. That’s what you love to see as a quarterback. You’re able to give him some of those 50/50 balls, and there’s a good chance he’ll come down with it.”

Teammates have praised Jurkovec’s leadership skills, but here’s the question. Is he a better quarterback than Kedon Slovis, now at BYU?

Slovis has played in more games (38/24) and completed more passes than Jurkovec (836/416), who was a backup his two seasons at Notre Dame.

Slovis (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) has thrown for 9,973 yards, 13th among active FBS quarterbacks. Jurkovec’s total is 5,406 with a career completion percentage of 59.7%, compared to Slovis’ 66%.

Viewed from a specific lens, it should be noted that Slovis has played the bulk of his career at USC. Jurkovec (6-5, 215) spent three seasons at Boston College, the last behind a bad offensive line. Jurkovec is a threat to run (568 yards, including sacks, and nine touchdowns); Slovis has a negative rushing total (minus-218).

By the end of the season, Pitt was ready to move on from Slovis. If some coaches are being honest, they might express regret that Nick Patti didn’t get more of an opportunity.

It’s Jurkovec’s team now, and the next three months before organized summer camp will be important toward preparing the offense for a difficult schedule. After playing Power 5 schools Cincinnati, West Virginia, North Carolina and Virginia Tech in September, Pitt gets Notre Dame and Florida State on back-to-back Saturdays a month later.

Jurkovec appears eager for the challenge.

“Spring ball is fun. It’s good to get the reps in, but you’re going up against the same defense, your own team,” he said. “The most fun is game-planning once you start getting into fall camp.”

Maybe spring was a good first step.

“We came off the field saying each day we did a lot of good things,” he said. “We’re proud of that.”