Five Most Consequential Players on Pitt's Offense

With the spring game in the rear-view mirror and fall camp a few months away, it’s not too early to begin weighing the 2025-26 season for the Pitt Panthers. 

Offensively, Kade Bell returns his starting quarterback, a pair of starting receivers, his star running back and multiple starting offensive linemen. 

Additionally, it’s intriguing to ponder how high the Pitt offense could ascend with reinforcements added upfront along the offensive line and throughout the receiver roster through the transfer portal. 

With all of that in mind, which players will the success of the offense hinge on this year? 

Let’s look at the five most consequential members of the roster. 

QB Eli Holstein

Before Eli Holstein was banged up last season, the Pitt Panthers were unbeaten and averaged 40.8 points per game. But once the injuries began, that number dropped to 26.1 amid a slide from 7-0 to 7-6. 

He’s a tall, strong-armed quarterback who can move in and out of the pocket and take deep shots with accuracy. 

Despite losing his top target in Konata Mumpfield, returning starters Kenny Johnson and Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr. are bolstered by two transfer receivers while Desmond Reid returns to the backfield. The table is set for a big-time season if Holstein can stay healthy. 

LT Jeffrey Persi

When Branson Taylor went down last season, it became a big part of why the Pitt offense went through a major slump through the back half of the season. 

Ryan Baer did a good job of filling in at left tackle, but now it’s Jeffrey Persi’s turn while Baer returns to his primary position on the right side. 

At 6-foot-8 and 310 pounds, he developed at a quality program in Michigan. Persi has an opportunity to prop up a Pitt offense equipped with ideal skill players, and potentially rise into a quality draft placement.

RB Desmond Reid