Eli Holstein was ranked No. 12 in the most recent quarterback power rankings from CBS Sports, but after another stellar performance, he’s risen the ranks.
A week after CBS Sports’ Clint Brewster ranked Holstein just outside the top 10, a dominant performance in a 73-17 win against Youngstown State has nearly propelled Holstein into the top five.
Brewster ranks Holstein as the No. 6 quarterback in his quarterback power rankings, behind only Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Not bad company.
Holstein has certainly been a difference-maker for Pitt since arriving from Alabama over the winter. It’s never been more apparent, considering the offensive output Saturday.
Pitt scored six touchdowns in six first half possessions against YSU. The Panthers hit the halftime break with a 42-10 lead, went three-and-out on its first possession of the second half and proceeded to rattle off four straight scoring drives to end the game.
An ever-critical Holstein still wasn’t entirely happy after the game.
“I think I still left two or three touchdowns out there, to be honest with you,” Holstein said Saturday after the game. “That first drive coming out of the half, made some mental errors. Trying to do too much, not just doing the little things, getting the ball in the right spot. That three-and-out coming out, that’s on me. Another drive we should’ve scored a touchdown.”
Holstein completed 16-of-24 pass attempts (67%) for 247 yards and three touchdowns, adding 93 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, in three quarters of work.
He’s now completed 87-of-129 pass attempts (67.4%) for 1,186 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions, adding 189 rushing yards and two more touchdowns. That’s pretty damn good.
“He knows what he’s done right or wrong,” Narduzzi said. “He gets to watch the videotape. He’s probably watched the game once already. He’ll watch it a couple more times with the iPad. He knows what he missed and didn’t miss. He came out and took that sack. He’s got to throw the ball away at the beginning of the third quarter. I think we went three and out and punted to start the third quarter.
“Again, you’ve got to love a quarterback that’s critical of himself. You’ve got to love that. He’s not thinking he’s all special and done everything the right way. That’s what you want.”
Eli Holstein and the Panthers kick off ACC play next weekend against North Carolina, and he’ll look to continue the torrid start to his Pitt career.
Great advancement Eli … keep it going. H2P!