On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine favors Alabama for QB Eli Holstein
One of the top quarterbacks in the Class of 2023 opted to reopen his recruitment last week.
On Friday, Zachary (La.) signal caller Eli Holstein announced his decommitment from Texas A&M. Holstein had been committed to the Aggies since June 25, 2021, a pledge that lasted nearly nine months.
According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, there’s a new favorite in Holstein’s recruitment.
The On3 RPM, which takes into account visits, media sentiment, and a variety of other factors, currently gives Alabama a 48.1 percent chance of adding Holstein to their 2023 class. Per On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman, the Crimson Tide have been pushing hard for the coveted quarterback.
In-state LSU is given the second-best odds with a 34.1 percent chance of landing Holstein. Texas A&M is not out of the race as the RPM has their chances of getting Holstein back in the fold at 14.2 percent.
What’s interesting to note here is that Alabama is also a strong contender for another quarterback out of Louisiana: Arch Manning. It’s a tight battle on the RPM between Alabama and Texas with the Crimson Tide currently having the edge, but the Longhorns are set to host Manning on campus this weekend.
According to Spiegelman, he’s confident that Alabama will land either Holstein or Manning in a 2023 class that is still waiting on several key quarterback dominoes to fall.
“I have a feeling they’re going to get one quarterback from Louisiana in this cycle,” Spiegelman recently said of Alabama. “No matter what the last name is, they’re going to be from The Boot.”
Eli Holstein brings a lot to the table
The On3 Consensus is a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On the 2023 On3 Consensus, Holstein is tabbed as the No. 9 signal caller in this recruiting cycle.
He also checks in as the No. 101 overall player regardless of position, as well as the sixth-ranked junior in Louisiana.
On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power recently chimed in on why Holstein is a top-10 quarterback in this class.
“Just from watching him play this year at Zachary, I think Eli Holstein excels at running an offense. Offensive administration,” Power said of Holstein’s game. “He goes through his reads really well. He’s a smart guy. I think he has a very good understanding of the offense. Reads coverages.
“I think Eli Holstein has some intriguing physical tools,” Power added. “He’s probably similar to Arch. Further developed physically… He kind of has a filled-out frame. Has big hands. He tests well in the combine setting.”
Holstein has been exceptional on the field and in the combine setting.
Last year at the Elite 11 in Indianapolis, he ran a 4.69-second 40, had a 38-inch vertical, and recorded a 42-foot power ball toss. On the field, Holstein tossed for over 3,200 yards and recorded 44 total touchdowns on his way to leading Zachary to a Class 5A state championship.
What Holstein brings to the table has attracted the attention of many college programs besides Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M. Per Spiegelman, the likes of Florida, Miami, Ohio State, Oregon, Stanford, and others are making a push for him.
Holstein’s focus is on the field, but his recruitment will be an interesting one to track in a loaded quarterback class.
