Nov 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein (10) is tackled by Virginia Cavaliers defensive tackle Terrell Jones (25) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pitt QB Eli Holstein to start vs. Louisville

Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein will return from injury to start Saturday against Louisville, according to multiple reports.

Holstein left two games within the past month with apparent head injuries.

He departed the Panthers’ 41-13 win over Syracuse on Oct. 24 after taking a hit on a run, but he played the following week in a 48-25 loss to then-No. 20 SMU. Against Virginia the next week, he left with an apparent head injury while sliding at the end of a run in a 24-19 loss.

Holstein dressed but did not play last Saturday in the Panthers’ third straight loss, when then-No. 17 Clemson scored a touchdown with 1:16 remaining to win 24-20.

Holstein was medically cleared earlier in the week but Pitt (7-3, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) coach Pat Narduzzi told reporters Thursday he wasn’t sure who would be starting.

“I don’t know, it’s a great question, we’ll see … we’ll see,” Narduzzi said at his weekly news conference. “And again, it’s still a work in progress. He’s cleared to play right now, so we’ll see game time.”

Holstein won the starting job in training camp. A transfer from Alabama, Holstein has a completion rate of 61.9 percent (177 of 286) and has thrown for 2,177 yards with 17 TDs and six interceptions in nine games.

He is also Pitt’s second-leading rusher with 323 yards and three touchdowns.

Nate Yarnell started against Clemson and completed 34 of 54 pass attempts for 350 yards.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein (10) in action during the game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the Pittsburgh Panthers at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Pitt QB Eli Holstein to miss game vs. No. 20 Clemson

Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein will be sidelined Saturday against No. 20 Clemson as he continues to recover from apparent head injuries, ESPN reported.

Per the report, Holstein has not been medically cleared after leaving two of the Panthers’ past three games with injuries.

In his place, junior Nate Yarnell will make his fourth career start — first this season — for Pitt.

Yarnell has appeared in 12 games for the Panthers and is 2-1 as a starter. He has completed 65.3 percent (81 of 124) of his passes for 1,104 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in his career.

In six games this season, he has thrown for 314 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Holstein won the starting job in training camp. A transfer from Alabama, Holstein has a completion rate of 61.9 percent (177 of 286) and thrown for 2,177 yards with 17 TDs and six interceptions in nine games.

He is also Pitt’s second-leading rusher with 323 yards and three touchdowns.

The Atlantic Coast Conference foes both are 7-2 on the season. Pitt is 3-2 in ACC games; Clemson is 6-1.

–Field Level Media

Zachary quarterback Eli Holstein (10) leaps in for a 1-yard score in the third quarter of the Class 5A State Championship game between Ponchatoula and Zachary at the Caesars Superdome on Saturday, December 11, 2021. (Michael DeMocker)

Class5achamp07

Four-star QB Eli Holstein commits to Alabama

Alabama picked up a four-star quarterback out of enemy territory on Tuesday.

Eli Holstein, from Zachary, La., and rated the nation’s eighth-ranked QB in the Class of 2023, committed to the Crimson Tide over LSU, Florida, Texas A&M and Oregon, to name a few.

The 6-foot-4 Holstein is the 54th best recruit overall, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

“I’m very excited and excited to be over with it,” Holstein told On3 Sports. “Now, I know where I’m going and it feels like home and I’m excited for my future and what I can do at Alabama.”

Quarterback Arch Manning, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class, still has Alabama on his radar. It is one of three schools — Georgia and Texas are the other two — he has scheduled for an official visit in June.

–Field Level Media