After two seasons at Penn State, Franco-Ontarian quarterback Christian Veilleux is heading to the University of Pittsburgh, where he expects to get a real opportunity to demonstrate his expertise.
• Read also: NCAA football: an all-Canadian connection to Penn State
At Penn State, he made a good impression last year in the only game where he saw a lot of ground, passing 15 of 24 for 235 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to adding 36 yards on the ground.
Since then, he has attempted just 11 passes, trailing veteran Sean Clifford and prospect Drew Allar.
With the Pitt Panthers, ACC conference champions in 2021, Veilleux will find himself in a group that includes Boston College transfer Phil Jurkovec and veteran Nick Patti.
"It's always a competition and the coaches and I quickly made that clear. We will have equal chances and the best quarterback will play. That's all I want in this process, to have an equal opportunity with others.
“I have a very good chance of showing up, according to what the coaches have told me. They see a lot of potential in me,” he said in an interview from the family home in Ottawa.
familiar face
Veilleux had to go through the transfer portal, which has seen more than 1,000 players pass through this year, including several who bumped into each other's noses. He acknowledged that the process has brought its share of stress, but is happy with the turn of events.
“I needed to do this so I could achieve my dreams. It was difficult at the same time because my first decision, a few years ago, was to play at Penn State. This is where I built my relationships. It wasn't easy to leave, but I had to do it for myself and I'm confident," he said.
Part of helping him be in good spirits is the fact that he was approached by offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr.
"There aren't a lot of movies about me, but he had recruited me when I was in high school and he was at Boston College. We already knew each other and we had a good relationship,” he explained.
A good precedent
In Pittsburgh, Veilleux also relishes his development through the team that recently produced a first-round NFL quarterback in Kenny Pickett, now with the Steelers.
“His example definitely influenced my decision. They know what it takes to develop a quarterback. It gives me good resources. »
