PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Over last season quarterback Eli Holstein points out Pitt was 7-1 when he was a healthy starter. Returning for 2025 after opportunities to go elsewhere, Holstein and Pitt are talking championship.
"Our one loss was to a playoff team and that was our first year in the system, first year in this offense," Holstein said as Pitt opened up practice on Wednesday on the South Side. "Really first year with us on the same team and all of those guys are back this year and have gotten better on offense and defense, as a whole team. It gives us a lot more confidence to go out there and play free and have fun."
Three touchdown passes in each of his first five career starts including a couple of improbable comebacks against Cincinnati and West Virginia. Five times in his first six games Holstein was the ACC Rookie of the Week. He was the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week for his Pitt freshman-record 381 passing yards while rushing for another 76 yards and a touchdown against conference rival North Carolina.
Holstein is healthy now, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said for the first time since early last season. Narduzzi mentioned his name with Heisman finalist Kenny Pickett. Now it's about the redshirt sophomore handling the expectations.
"It's the same amount of pressure honestly," Holstein said. "He always expects great things out of me. I really appreciate him for that. Nothing really changed, the same expectation is to go win a championship."
"There is pressure on all of us," said Pitt offensive coordinator Kade Bell. "There is pressure on me. There is pressure on Eli, but we want that. We talk about wanting that pressure."
"I want him to be an All ACC player. I want him to have a chance to win the Heisman. That's the expectation for my quarterback room. Maybe that's not the expectation for other quarterback rooms, but my quarterback room is to be one of the best players in the country."
"I want a dude. I don't want a guy that's just a game manager. It's hard to win a championship with game managers. You want a guy that you can put the ball in his hands (and go win a championship)."
Narduzzi said Holstein had 'a heck of a first practice' not just throwing the ball, but running it as well. Bell said Holstein and the offense are ready to take the next step because of what he knows and how he's teaching that to others. Holstein has embraced maybe the biggest role of being a quarterback, being a leader.
"He's being more vocal," said All-American Desmond Reid. "Last year, he was a young guy. He wasn't as vocal as quarterbacks usually are. This offseason I've seen him being more vocal, taking stuff more serious now. He's watching film a lot with Coach Kade."
As the Panthers tailback said, an offense will go as the quarterback goes.
"He is a natural leader," said Pitt offensive lineman BJ Williams. "Whatever he says, we will follow him. He's always smiling, no matter what happens he has a smile on his face. I like that about him."
Receiver Kenny Johnson said they've been working all summer together, a lot of the starters and some of the new guys. Not just practicing when they can, but hanging out together. Holstein routinely hosts the guys at his place.
"He really took over as a leader this year," said tackle Ryan Baer. "He has a little chip on his shoulder because of how last season ended. That injury really bothered him. I think he's really going to break out this year."
Holstein considers his teammates family. Narduzzi said it's a relationship-first program. Can Holstein lead them to something more?
