Pitt FB Recruiting
Noteworthy Alabama QB Enters Transfer Portal
A very interesting name has hit the transfer portal in the wake of Alabama’s loss in the College Football Playoff.
Alabama freshman quarterback and former four-star recruit Eli Holstein entered the transfer portal Wednesday, 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported. He is a name to keep an eye on when it comes to Pitt’s potential quarterback plans in the near future.
Holstein — a 6-foot-4, 237-pound quarterback from Zachary, Louisiana — did not see the field as a true freshman at Alabama, but he is not far removed from being one of the top quarterback recruits in the class of 2023.
He was one of the top quarterbacks in the class of 2023, flipping from Texas A&M to Alabama in the summer of 2022. As a consensus four-star recruit, he was rated as the 88th-ranked recruit in the class by 247Sports (eighth-overall quarterback) and 147th-ranked recruit in the class by Rivals (ninth-overall pro-style quarterback).
He held offers from the likes of Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Louisville, Miami, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, South Carolina, Stanford, Texas A&M and Utah before signing with Alabama last January.
Holstein was ultra-efficient in 2022 as a senior at Zachary, completing 159-of-244 pass attempts (65%) for 2,153 yards with 22 touchdowns and three interceptions — adding 64 carries for 505 yards (7.9 yards per attempt) and nine touchdowns.
And he was even better as a junior, throwing for 3,264 yards, rushing for 515 more and scoring 43 total touchdowns on the way to a perfect 15-0 season — capped by a state title.
With Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe returning next season, to go along with a crowded quarterbacks room filled with four- and five-star recruits, Holstein will look for an opportunity to play immediately elsewhere — with four seasons of eligibility remaining.
Holstein is a big, strong-armed quarterback, and while he isn’t a dual threat, he would be mobile enough to run a Kade Bell-run offense that requires quick decision-making and good ball placement.
Nate Yarnell and Christian Veilleux are returning to Pitt next season, with both having started games (to varying degrees of success) last season, and Ty Dieffenbach and Julian Dugger are both in the fold. But the Pitt coaching staff is certainly going to add another option, and Holstein is an option to keep an eye on.
Holsteins are known for high production !
Narduzzi will try to milk him for all he’s worth.
I have heard of Holstein’s name in connection with Pitt, but why? Is there a connection that would make his portal transfer a Pitt opportunity?
There are rumors going around about his dad at the Syracuse game
Oh, c’mon. Look at that offer list full of SEC and Big 10 schools. Can’t believe
he would choose Pitt over any of those schools.
It might be an opportunity to get on the field. I think kids go to some of these high profile programs with big expectations. Then, for the first time in their lives they’re sitting. Everyone wants to play. Plus, PITT recently had a first round QB. PITT also has a new OC and generally gives you pretty good defense. Great education and I’ll leave out the many HOF players. I don’t see where it’s unthinkable. Might be smart actually. The ACC is also a winnable league. H2P! 🏈
Karl: why is Holstein worth keeping an eye on? Is Holstein interested in Pitt? Is Pitt interested in him? Is he going to visit? There are probably 100 “4 star” QBs in the transfer portal – why should we pay any attention at all to Holstein? P.S. this is an example of how ridiculous all this transfer portal stuff has become. Just let me know on August 15th who is on the PItt roster and I’ll pay attention.
THiS!
That’s what this website is. It’s for fans who care about any and every possible pitt news. If you only care about the basics, stick to the post gazette
I think the PG writer is a State U. fan. Not that it should matter in journalism. But sometimes he gives me a condescending vibe.
Agree the transfer portal has made the sport ridiculous though.
Some people enjoy talking about it. It’s a way to chat with other fans and sometimes adversaries. All in fun, while sometimes heated. You could just come back in August. We’ll still be here. There’s a good chance young Mr. Holstein won’t be here. But, we will have discussed him in your absence. H2P!🏈
Nate Yarnell… remember the name. Would also love to have Nick Patti in the room.
That would be great signing, but there’s No way an Alabama qb is coming to Pitt
We got a Defensive End from Mississippi in the late 70s with Jackie Sherrill recruiting. #99 turned out pretty good, cover of SI, NYC Heisman race.
Yes, of course that 1 player worked out, but he was an exception not the norm. And that was over 40 years ago. Times are different now
QB’s are usually looking for the right opportunity, rather than just signing with ‘name’ school. We started three different guys at QB last year and two of them stunk….so, uh, that’s a pretty good opportunity, I would say.
Wouldn’t it be funny if our new Offensive Coordinator Coach Bell, when asked by Ludwig about QB Eli Holstein replied “I never heard of the guy.”
Pitt does not have a snowball chance in hell. Look at where the transfers who signed are coming from. Pitt is not a top tier school for football or basketball.
Florida, LSU, Cal, USC, Clemson, NC State, Penn State, ND. Yea we haven’t pulled from any good programs in the past few seasons.
Yeah Ok … are we even looking at him ? and, if he really is good .. why risk it at Pitt next season with a new OC, little momentum from last season, and a somewhat questionable o-line. H2P !