Pitt receives verbal commitment from former Alabama quarterback

Pat Narduzzi hoped to transform the landscape and trajectory of Pitt’s football program with four offensive coaching changes, but he went a step further on Sunday.

Narduzzi took another go at a transfer quarterback, this time landing Eli Holstein, previously of Alabama. He is the 12th player to express his intention to switch to Pitt since the season ended.

Holstein (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) joined the Crimson Tide as a freshman this season, however he did not play in any games before deciding to transfer.Three other quarterbacks appeared briefly in support of starter and redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe, who guided Alabama to the College Football Playoff.

Pitt has added a four-star quarterback with four years of eligibility in Holstein. During the 2022 season, he was one of the most highly regarded high school athletes in the country at his position, ranking by Rivals.com as the No. 9 pro-style quarterback and the 147th overall recruit in the class of 2023. He earned scholarship offers from numerous prominent universities, including Georgia, Ohio State, and Penn State. He had a nine-month commitment to Texas A&M before switching to Alabama.

Holstein started three seasons at Zachary (La.) High School, accumulating 7,014 passing yards, 1,233 rushing yards, 62 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

On a smaller scale, Zachary coach David Brewerton compared Holstein’s ability to escape the pocket and gain substantial yards to that of the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen. According to John Garcia Jr. of Sports Illustrated, “Think Tim Tebow in college, at least in principle.”

Narduzzi isn’t the first to see a quarterback from another school. He is the eighth transfer to Pitt since Nathan Peterman left Tennessee in 2015 to coach Narduzzi’s inaugural team.

Those who followed were:

• Christian Veilleux (Penn State), who started five games last season and entered the calendar year 2024 expected to battle with Nate Yarnell for the starting role. It’s now a three-man derby.

• Kedon Slovis (USC), who appeared in 11 games in 2022 and threw for 2,397 yards and 10 touchdowns before opting to transfer before the season ended.

• Boston College’s Phil Jurkovec, who was recruited last year mostly due of his relationship with then-offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. Jurkovec was fired five games into the 2023 season because the Pitt offense was failing.

• Joey Yellen (Arizona State), who left after throwing three interceptions against Notre Dame in 2020.

• Ricky Town (Ventura College) and Jeff George Jr. (Illinois/Michigan) entered in 2018 but were never seen as strong contenders for Kenny Pickett’s starting role.

• Max Browne (USC), who completed 71.1% of his throws in six games for 997 yards and five touchdowns. Pickett was elevated to No. 1 backup behind Ben DiNucci after suffering a shoulder injury that season.

• Peterman (Tennessee), who started in 2015 and 2016 and overcame eventual national champion Clemson.

Slovis, Browne, and Peterman are the only quarterbacks on the list who have had several games of success at Pitt.