Alabama football recruiting: 4-star quarterback Eli Holstein pledges to Crimson Tide
As the ongoing feud between Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher continues, and by extension between Alabama and Texas A&M, the Crimson Tide got one up on their rival after 4-star quarterback Eli Holstein pledged to the school.
Holstein originally committed to A&M last June, but de-committed from the Aggies in March and re-opened his recruitment.
Alabama emerged as an early favorite to sign the quarterback, and stayed there following several official visits by Holstein to the Alabama campus.
A 6-foot-3, 215-pound player from Zachary, Louisiana, Holstein rates as the No. 59 player in the ESPN 300 college football recruiting class.
He was ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the cycle, a group led by Arch Manning, the consensus No. 1 overall player among 2023 prospects.
Holstein had 3,228 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions last year, adding 523 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
He led his team to a 15-0 record, a 5A state championship, and was named the MaxPreps Louisiana Football Player of the Year after his junior campaign.
Holstein's commitment to Alabama may ultimately turn things against the Crimson Tide in the race to sign Manning, according to analysts, who predict he will could narrow his choices to Texas and Georgia and remove UA from consideration.
Holstein joins an Alabama recruiting class that ranks No. 1 in the SEC and No. 3 nationally, according to On3 Sports.
The quarterback joins 5-star cornerback Jahlil Hurley, 4-star cornerback Elliott Washington, and 4-star edge Yahonzae Pierre in the Crimson Tide's 2023 class.
Half of the school's current recruiting haul comes from the state of Alabama.
Follow College Football HQ: Bookmark | Facebook | Twitter