Pitt QB Eli Holstein Earns Undraftable Free Agent Grade

Erratic.

That’s the one word that best describes University of Pittsburgh quarterback (QB) Eli Holstein.

What’s the most important trait with quarterbacks?

Accuracy.

That’s what my NFL scouting mentor taught me.

With that said, Holstein showed average accuracy and below-average ball placement in the 10 games he played during the 2024 season.

I like that Holstein is as tough as nails, he’s fearless, and he’s one of the most competitive quarterbacks I’ve ever evaluated. However, I keep coming back to the most important trait that I was taught about quarterbacks.

What else do I like about Holstein?

Aggression.

Holstein doesn’t think twice about going deep.

I didn’t say he was that great at it, I’m just saying he’s relentless about attacking defenses downfield.

• 14/37 (37.8%) +19 air yards

Two ways to look at it

About half the time, Holstein’s throwing mechanics look good and he gets the ball out of his hand on schedule, and the other half of the time, it looks like playground football.

Per Pro Football Focus, Holstein’s time to throw in 2024 was at 2.91 seconds. However, four of his games (40%) were south of three seconds. The average time to throw for NFL QBs in 2024 (per Next Gen Stats) was between 2.42 and 3.14 seconds.

Holstein’s game-by-game times to throw:

• Kent State 2.12
• Cincinnati 3.77
• West Virginia 3.34
• Youngstown State 2.83
• North Carolina 2.86
• CAL 2.78
• Syracuse 2.97
• SMU 2.61
• Virginia 3.09
• Louisville 3.04

Ball security issues

• 30 pass breakups in 10 games (3.00 per game average)
• 7 interceptions

Holstein bobbled a few snaps, and he looked flat-out reckless throwing at times.

Part of what it takes at the next level is keeping the ball out of harm’s way, and that’s not Holstein.

Injury concerns

• Head injury vs. Virginia (CBS)
• Carted off the field vs. Louisville wearing a left leg cast (ESPN)

The leg injury was serious enough that Holstein missed the last three games of Pittsburgh’s season against Clemson, Boston College, and Toledo (GameAbove Sports Bowl).

A lack of durability caused him to fall completely off my draft board.

Adding to the injury concern is the amount of contact Holstein absorbs ⎯

In fairness, he manages to duck out of bounds about half the time, but otherwise, he was out there running like a running back.

• 81 rushing attempts (sports-reference.com)

Holstein also got sacked 20 times (ESPN).

NFL future?

If NFL QBs Kenny Pickett and Will Levis had a baby, it would be Holstein.

He’s rough around the edges like Pickett, and he made enough “What were you thinking passes” to remind me of Levis. I put a fifth-round pre-draft grade on Pickett and a seventh-round pre-draft grade on Levis.

Is Holstein worth a camp invite?

Yes.

Holstein will do whatever it takes to advance his team.

He’s an ideal practice squad prospect.

#10 Eli Holstein 6-foot-4, 225 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Summer Grade: Undraftable Free Agent (I would sign him)

Projected by 3.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of June 19, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2024 game film evaluated: Kent State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Youngstown State, North Carolina, CAL, Syracuse, SMU, Virginia, and Louisville (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Injury risk: High

Note: transferred from Alabama

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Scrappy unorthodox and athletic. Raw. Hyperactive pace. Rigid movements. Flat-footed. Strong arm. Solid downfield focus. Average pocket awareness. Susceptible to getting swallowed by the pass rush. Questionable reading coverages. Most comfortable in one-read scenarios. Gives the impression he’s going through his progressions, but it seems like his throwing decisions are determined pre-snap to the point he forces the ball. Sometimes it seems like he’s throwing to a pre-determined spot. Won’t hesitate to throw into double coverage. Relies too much on his upper-body throwing. Torques body. Forward leaning into throws too much (like a baseball pitcher). Passes can have a funky downward trajectory. Delivers with below-average anticipation at the intermediate route level (10-19 yards).Throws some airballs. Gets off platform with inconsistent results. Determined runner.

What to watch for during the 2025 college football season

1. Consistent?

2. Really going through his progressions?

3. A lot of dangerous passes?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.