Eli Holstein Embracing Next Steps in Leading Pitt Offense

Year 1 for quarterback Eli Holstein in the Pitt offense started off the best way imaginable.

A 7-0 start, Pitt as a top-25 team with new conference title aspirations — even college football playoff hopes — and a variety of freshman records now owned by Holstein had the Panthers soaring to begin the 2024 campaign.

Then, it all came crashing down. Head injuries against Syracuse and Virginia, a blowout loss at SMU and an eventual season-ending injury against Louisville spoiled an extremely promising first collegiate season for Holstein.

“Ups and downs, highs and lows,” Holstein recalled Tuesday on the South Side. “It was a great moment when I found out I was the starting quarterback. Going through those games, the highs and lows in those games as well. Starting off slow against Cincinnati and then coming back in the end and winning that game. The ups and downs of the West Virginia game, coming back and winning those games. Having a great game against UNC, breaking some records. That was a lot of fun.

“Then some adversity hit and I started getting into injury trouble. Not being able to be out there with those guys and be able to play with them and nothing that I could really do out there on the field with them really hurt. That’s part of the game and something I got to be able to handle and push through and look forward to next year.”

Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein (10) September 14, 2024. Michael Longo/PSN

Those obstacles and shortcomings have a silver lining to them for Holstein, especially considering it was just his redshirt freshman season.

“Football is a game of adversity,” he said. “There’s always going to be problems, something going against you. Good defenses, referees, being able in adverse environments playing away, games like that. We’re going to West Virginia this year and we’re going to have to be able to handle adversity when playing a game like that. I heard they’re going to be throwing batteries at me and everything, so I’m looking forward to that. That’s one of the biggest things a quarterback has to be able to do is handle adversity.”

Along with the adversity, leadership also comes with the quarterback territory and Holstein knows there is no other choice.

“As a quarterback, you’re kind of pushed into a leadership role whether you like it or not,” Holstein acknowledged.

For the Louisiana native, Holstein says that his family has always pushed him into unique situations in order to prepare him for that type of role.

Pitt quarterbacks Julian Dugger (12), David Lynch (16), Mason Heintschel (6) and Eli Holstein (10). March 11, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN

“I feel like my dad and my older brother, the men in my family, have really helped me become the leader I am today. My dad’s always put me in situations that I’ve had to lead. Growing up, he was a big strength and conditioning coach. Most of the times, he would make me help him out, so I would have to lead groups. He’d have college kids out there and I would be 10, 11, 12 years old telling them what to do, coaching them. Being able to do that when I was that age against those guys just helped me be comfortable in that leadership role when it came to do that,” Holstein said.

As Holstein enters his second year with the program, he is embracing the next step as a leader.

“I’m seeing a great leader,” tight end Jake Overman said. “He’s the leader of our offense right now and I think a lot of guys are getting behind him. Being his second year, we know the kind of leader he is, the kind of player that he is, the kind of man that he is, so we’re behind him and love what he’s doing.”

Overman, who is also taking on more of a leadership role in the offense, has watched Holstein step out of his comfort zone to take ahold of the Pitt offense.

“Naturally, he’s a leader by example. I think he does the right thing. He’s doing the right thing all the time. It’s been pretty cool seeing him come out of his shell a little bit. He’s becoming more vocal now that he is more confident in the offense, confident with the players, confident with the coaches. He’s leading by example, but he’s also starting to talk a little bit, which is nice to see,” Overman said.

Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein handing the ball off to running back Desmond Reid. March 13, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN.

As Holstein becomes more of a voice in the offense, he cannot always be the good guy. Sometimes, he will need to call a player out, and he’s OK with that.

“Guys will tell you that I’m very honest with them,” Holstein said. “I’ve had guys tell me, ‘Hey, I need you to be on me this year.’ And I told them, ‘I’m going to be on you, but you’re not going to like me sometimes. I got to be honest with you, I got to tell you what you’re doing wrong. You might throw a punch at me, we might tussle, but if that’s what you want me to do, you’re going to hear what you’re not going to like sometimes.’ Being honest I feel like is the most important thing.”

Another leader within the offense, lineman Ryan Baer, has also noticed Holstein’s tell-it-like-it-is approach.

“He’s been a little more vocal, especially with what his standard is in the offense as the quarterback,” Baer said last week. “Sometimes he has to tell people the way it is and he can’t be everyone’s best friend and I’ve seen that from him. Out there leading sometimes you have to get into people a little bit and that’s what I like to see.”

With Holstein appreciating his role even more, he will be vital to the success for Pitt football in 2025 not only on the field, but also off the field as a leader when times get tough much like it did in the fall.