Eli Holstein Named Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Semifinalist
11/6/2024 10:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein has been named a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. Holstein is one of 14 semifinalists for the honor presented to the outstanding freshman in college football by the Maxwell Football Club.
It is the latest national recognition for Holstein, who previously was the lone freshman named to the Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2024 list.
On the season, Holstein has completed 64% of his passes (167 of 263) for 2,056 yards and 17 touchdowns with six interceptions. He is also Pitt's second-leading rusher with 305 yards and three touchdowns on 72 carries (4.2 avg.).
Holstein's 17 touchdown passes are tied with Alex Van Pelt (1989) for the most by a Pitt freshman. His four 300-yard passing games also matched Van Pelt's 1989 school freshman record.
Holstein boasts impressive top 30 national rankings in total offense (14th, 295.1 avg.), touchdown passes (23rd, 17 total), passing yards (23rd, 257.0 avg.) and points responsible for (29th, 15.3 avg.).
He became the first Pitt quarterback to win his initial seven career starts since Dan Marino accomplished the feat over the 1979-80 seasons.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented each year since 2018. The honor is named after the former Alabama and Seattle Seahawks standout. The award's prior winners are Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) in 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) in 2019, Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) in 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) in 2021, Drake Maye (North Carolina) in 2022 and Caleb Downs (Alabama/Ohio State) in 2023.
Finalists for the 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be announced on December 4 and the winner revealed on December 26. The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 14, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The Panthers (7-1, 3-1 ACC), ranked No. 18 in the newly released College Football Playoff ratings, host Virginia (4-4, 2-3) this Saturday at 8 p.m. The game will be televised by ACC Network and can also be heard on Pitt radio flagship 93.7 The Fan.
