Former Nick Saban commitment will be Pitt's Week 1 starting QB

As a four-star recruit out of Zachary, La., quarterback Eli Holstein committed to Alabama with the hopes of becoming a big part of Nick Saban's 2023 class.

He took a redshirt in 2023 and saw Saban lead the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoffs once again, where they lost to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

Then, Saban shocked not just the college football world, but the sports world in general, and retired after 28 legendary seasons — seven of which ended in national championships (six for Alabama and one at LSU).

With Saban no longer at the helm in Tuscaloosa, Holstein hit the transfer portal and ended up with the Pittsburgh Panthers. Now, just over a half year later, he will be Pitt's starter for the Panthers' 2024 opener against Kent State, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN.

"Holstein is a big-armed quarterback who should be able to spread the ball around the field to Pitt's skill players," Thamel wrote in his report .

Outside of those who have watched Pitt practice this offseason, that's about all the available intel on Holstein the college football player. Not only will this Saturday be the first start of his career, but it will also be the first college football game he's ever played in.

Holstein beat out redshirt junior Nate Yarnell, who played in four games last season, starting two. With that said, Narduzzi has previously made it clear that both quarterbacks are expected to play against Kent State, per Thamel .