Eli Holstein is the new quarterback under center for Pittsburgh in 2024.
Holstein transferred to Pitt this season after redshirting last season as a freshman at Alabama. Through two games this season, he’s thrown for 635 yards and six touchdowns, helping the Panthers to a 2-0 record early this season. He is also Pitt’s second-leading rusher with 37 yards, 36 of those coming on 10 attempts in their comeback against Cincinnati last week.
The 6-foot-4 gunslinger was a former four-star recruit from Zachary High School in Louisana. He threw for over 7,000 yards and 62 touchdowns as a three-year starter. 247Sports had him ranked as the No. 12 overall quarterback recruit in the class of 2023. Coming out of high school, Holstein also held offers from power-four programs Arkansas, Arizona State, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, UMiami, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, South Carolina, Stanford, Texas A&M and Utah, before signing with the Crimson Tide.
Against WVU last year, Pitt’s former quarterback, Phil Jurkovec, was 8-20 passing for 81 yards while throwing three interceptions. In an attempt to make a professional playing career, Jurkovec converted to a tight end and was invited to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ minicamp but wasn’t signed.
Holstein’s longest completion this season was 56 yards. He’s been sacked five times and has thrown two interceptions, one each game. He has completed 50 passes on 75 attempts (66.7%).
Holstein and Pittsburgh take on West Virginia in the 107th edition of the Backyard Brawl on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
