Former Alabama QB Eli Holstein Announces Transfer to Pitt; Was a Top 150 Recruit

Former Alabama quarterback Eli Holstein announced he's transferring to Pittsburgh.

The Louisiana native was the No. 8 quarterback and No. 88 overall recruit in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2023 class. He didn't make an appearance for the Crimson Tide as a true freshman this season.

Jalen Milroe confirmed in December he's returning to Alabama rather than entering the 2024 NFL draft. The Crimson Tide also signed Julian Sayin, the top QB in 247Sports' composite rankings for 2024. Playing time probably would've remained elusive for Holstein if he had stayed in Tuscaloosa.

That shouldn't be the case at Pitt.

Hopes for the Panthers offense were high after they signed Phil Jurkovec out of the portal. But he was benched after the team opened the year 1-4, and Christian Veilleux threw for 1,179 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions after taking over.

Pitt's informal pursuit of Holstein began well before he entered the portal. According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he had been targeted since at least late October.

Perhaps his commitment symbolizes a renewed emphasis on the passing game.

Pitt looked decidedly unlike a Pat Narduzzi team in 2021, when Kenny Pickett threw for 4,319 yards and Jordan Addison won the Fred Biletnikoff Award. The key architects of that high-octane offense left in the offseason, and Narduzzi even spoke derisively about how much the Panthers had passed the ball.

Kade Bell came aboard as the new offensive coordinator in December, with Narduzzi labeling him "an incredibly creative play-caller who is widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in the country."

Between making that hire and landing a former blue-chipper at quarterback, Narduzzi is setting the stage for a major evolution on offense.