Pitt's Pat Narduzzi declines to name starting QB for opener, loves competition between Nate Yarnell, Eli Holstein

Although it’s been assumed Nate Yarnell will start Pitt’s season at quarterback, coach Pat Narduzzi said Thursday morning there’s a battle going on between Yarnell and redshirt freshman Eli Holstein that wasn’t decided after the first 12 practices.

“You can be a starter at the end of spring ball,” Narduzzi said before practice No. 13. “It doesn’t mean you’re a starter (later). That’s every position. I’m not just talking about quarterback.”

Asked if he’s undecided on naming a starter for the opener Aug. 31 against Kent State, Narduzzi said, “I’m saying we’re continuing to evaluate every day. Nate’s our starter right now, and there’s a battle going on.”

Narduzzi said he has been pleased with how the players are working.

“I think they’re both pressing. They’re both working at it, working their tails off, coming in late and spending their time to be the best,” he said. “Sometimes, that can pay off. Sometimes, it can backfire on you a little bit.

“But we’re seeing them compete every day. I love the competition. You have two really good quarterbacks battling.”

Asked what he likes about Holstein, who transferred from Alabama this year, Narduzzi said, “He can really run. I would say his athletic ability and what he does in the pocket might give him that advantage. You look at Nate, he’s played in ball games (three career starts), and we know what he does when the lights turn on, too.”

He said he has not imposed a deadline on himself for naming a starter.

“They’re getting a ton of reps with the 1s and the 2s,” the coach said. “They’re getting timing with everybody.”

The uncertainty and apparently close competition in training camp could mean that Narduzzi would feel more comfortable making an in-season change than he did last season when Phil Jurkovec played through a 1-4 start.

“We’ve talked about it. I trust (offensive coordinator Kade Bell),” said Narduzzi, who usually has left those decisions to his coordinator. “But you live and learn. Sometimes you can trust too much in this world. I’ll be on top of it.”

If Holstein eventually replaces Yarnell, it will be the second time Narduzzi benched a returning starter for a newcomer to the program. In 2015, Narduzzi replaced Chad Voytik, the starter in 2014, with Nate Peterman, who coincidentally also transferred from an SEC school (Tennessee). It was Narduzzi’s first season, and the move turned out well. Pitt won eight games, its most in five seasons.

In Yarnell’s three starts and three other appearances since 2022, he has completed 51 of 76 passes for 790 yards, five touchdowns and an interception. A third-string quarterback at this time last season, Yarnell has a 2-1 record as a starter, with a victory at Western Michigan two years ago and another last season at Acrisure Stadium against Boston College. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound redshirt junior also started the 2023 finale, a 30-19 loss at Duke.

Holstein (6-foot-4, 225) was a highly regarded high school quarterback, rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com when he left Zachary (La.) High School after the 2022 season. Rivals ranked him the nation’s No. 9 pro-style quarterback after he threw for 7,014 yards, 62 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in three seasons. He did not play in any games last season for Alabama.

Redshirt junior wide receiver Daejon Reynolds said communication among pass catchers and both quarterbacks has been good.

“Both of them have similar qualities,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m just fortunate to work with both guys.”