Pitt Panthers start transfer from Alabama to QB position

PITTSBURGH – The Pitt Panthers have announced Alabama transfer and redshirt freshman Eli Holstein as their starting quarterback for their game against Kent State.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported the news and Narduzzi confirmed at his final press conference before the season opener that Holstein had won the starting spot.

Holstein emerges victorious in the battle for starting quarterback against redshirt junior Nate Yarnell, whom Narduzzi named the starter after the end of spring ball.

Holstein arrived this offseason as a transfer from Alabama. He was undrafted in 2023 and came out of Zachary High School in Zachary, Louisiana, as a four-star quarterback known for his athleticism and strong arm.

Yarnell graduated from Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas, in 2021 and was a no-show in his freshman season. In three seasons with the Panthers, he started just three games and appeared in just six total, completing 51 of 76 passes for 790 yards and five touchdowns with one interception.

He made his first contribution in 2022, starting in an away game against Western Michigan as both quarterbacks, starter Kedon Slovis and backup Nick Patti, were sidelined due to injuries sustained in the home loss to then-24th-ranked Tennessee.

Yarnell served as game manager and completed 9 of 12 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown in the 34-13 victory.

He then played a drive in the Sun Bowl at the end of the season and played in two away losses last season against then-14th-ranked Notre Dame and Syracuse before earning the starting spot late in the season.

Yarnell made the most of his opportunity, leading Pitt to a 24-16 victory in the home finale against Boston College. He completed 11 of 19 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown and also scored a touchdown in the win.

He also started in the season finale on the road to Duke, where he posted his best stat line, completing 25 of 35 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. In the end, it wasn’t enough as Pitt lost 30-19 and finished the season 3-9.

The two quarterbacks will continue to battle for the actual starting position, but with new offensive coordinator Kade Bell implementing his quick, up-tempo system, it seems like they want to settle on the signal caller who runs the offense in their minds.

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