Pitt Freshman QB Rising Quickly

Pitt Panthers freshman quarterback continues to receive plaudits from teammates with his rise in Spring Game Draft

Apr 22, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; White team quarterback Eli Holstein (10) throws during the A-Day / Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers spring season is coming to a close, but one freshman quarterback saw his stock rise in the recent Spring Game draft.

The Gold Team selected redshirt freshman Eli Holstein as their starter, with the Blue Team taking redshirt junior Nate Yarnell prior, who will start for the Panthers this fall.

Holstein joined the program back in January, after redshirting in his sole season with the Crimson Tide. He starred for Zachary High School in Zachary, La. completing 65% of his 244 passes for 2,153 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions, while also rushing for 505 yards and nine touchdowns on 64 carries. He played even better as a junior - 3,779 total yards and 43 total touchdowns as Zachary amassed a perfect, 15-0 record with a state championship win in 2021. 

Holstein coming in as the second quarterback selected shows the support from his fellow teammates. It also shows that he has a chance to move up the depth chart and establish himself as the backup quarterback behind Yarnell, taking over from redshirt junior Christian Veilleux.

Senior tight end Gavin Bartholomew is one of the captains for the Gold Team and drafted Holstein on Wednesday, praising his efforts duirng spring practices.

“He’s shown a lot of consistency,” Bartholomew said after the draft. “He’s shown that he’s very comfortable working with the [first and second teams] and very comfortable in the pocket. He makes the throws we expect him to make.”

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi is another who had good things to say about his new transfer quarterback, especially on his decision making.

"But Eli, he’s like this everyday [gestures to staying neutral]," Narduzzi said after practice on Thursday. "You get the same guy every day. He’s protected the ball. He’s probably got the least turnovers, I would say. I think, between him and Nate, those are two guys who’ve turned it over the least. Give you a chance to win I guess."

Sophomore wide receiver Kenny Johnson excelled as a freshman, playing in all 12 games and making 15 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown, along with a kick return touchdown too.

The Gold Team made Johnson the first overall pick and he'll start alongside Holstein on Saturday, something that he is excited to do in front of fans for the first time.

"Eli’s been playing good," Johnson said. "At first, I was a little shaky on him, just with his hamstring, he couldn’t really move that well, but the dude can throw the ball. He can really throw the ball. His decision making’s getting way better and I just think he’s got crazy, good arm talent."

Pitt football will have their Blue-Gold teams face off in the Spring Game this Saturday at Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore. Kickoff is set at 3:00 p.m.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

• Pitt Alters Rodney Hammond's Status for Spring Game
• Pitt Makes Top Six for Transfer G
• Dominic Campbell Joins Inside the Panthers
• Pitt Soccer Sends Two to Paris Olympics
• Larry Fitzgerald Relfects on Pitt Experience

Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt