Yarno was the first Vandal to be named to the Division I first-team All-American (AP),[11] which included a prime-time television appearance on the Bob Hope Christmas Special on NBC on Monday, December 13.
His younger brother George (1957–2016) was the nose tackle with neighboring Washington State in Pullman, and the two matched up often in the Battle of the Palouse in 1975 and 1976, both handily won by WSU at Martin Stadium.
Yarno became the starter in training camp in 1978, but suffered ligament damage to his left knee in the thirteenth game of the regular season, a road win over Oakland in late November.
[28] Yarno signed a three-year contract in April 1983, but was waived by new head coach Chuck Knox in late August after the acquisition of Blair Bush from Cincinnati.
[29] Not picked up by another NFL team in 1983, Yarno and his brother George signed three-year contracts with the Denver Gold of the USFL for the 1984 spring season.
After limited playing time at center and tight end in the USFL and no interest from NFL teams in 1984, he decided to retire from pro football in November at age 29.