Former Boston College QB Phil Jurkovec Is Back In The News Again

Phil Jurkovec, a former standout college quarterback, faces serious legal trouble after being charged with felonies related to the theft of a truck from a hospital.

Former Pitt quarterback Phil Jurkovec was arrested in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, last week after allegedly taking a vehicle from Allegheny Health Network’s Wexford Hospital, according to court documents obtained by CBS News.

Police say the incident happened on Sept. 18, when Jurkovec allegedly stole a box truck from the hospital’s valet garage. A rental company employee told officers the truck disappeared while he was loading items from an event.

Jurkovec was later tracked down by police using GPS and now faces two felony counts: theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. He reportedly did not post bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing later this month.

Jurkovec spent the 2023 season at Pitt after transferring from Boston College in December 2022 and taking over for Kedon Slovis. He appeared in six games for the Panthers, finishing 57 of 112 passing attempts for 818 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.

His role changed as the year went on. Jurkovec lost the starting job midway through the season and attempted a move to tight end. He later went undrafted in 2024 and attended minicamp with the Pittsburgh Steelers before leaving without a contract.

Before his time at Pitt and Boston College, Jurkovec’s college path began with major recruiting buzz. He was initially committed to Ohio State, then signed with Notre Dame as part of the Irish’s 2018 class.

At 6-5 and 215 pounds, he arrived as a four-star prospect, rated the nation’s third-best dual-threat passer and a U.S. Army All-American.

He played in nine games at Notre Dame before transferring to Boston College and spending three seasons with the Eagles.

Jurkovec’s strongest college season came in 2020, when he threw for 2,558 yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore at Boston College under first-year coach Jeff Hafley, who's now leading the Miami Dolphins.

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