Aliquippa quarterback Eli Kosanovich joins Pitt as walk-on

Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt coaching staff picked up a commitment from a WPIAL standout on Thursday afternoon, as Aliquippa quarterback Eli Kosanovich announced that he would be staying home to join the Panthers as a walk-on.

”I would like to thank my entire family, Coach Warfield, Coach Devonshire, the entire coaching staff at Aliquippa, FASTER and anyone else who helped me get to this point,” Kosanovich wrote in a message on Twitter. “After talks with my family, I am going to further my academic and athletic career at the University of Pittsburgh.”

Kosanovich only started at quarterback for the Quips during his senior season in 2018, but he proved to be a natural, throwing for 3,189 yards and 39 touchdowns. With his commitment to Pitt, Kosanovich will be reunited with former Aliquippa wide receiver Will Gipson, who thrived with him under center.

In his final season at Aliquippa, Gipson amassed 62 catches for 1,657 yards and 19 touchdowns in a record-setting year. Pitt offensive lineman Kenny Rainey III is also a former teammate of Kosanovich’s.

The 6’1”, 195-pound signal-caller was not given a star rating from 247Sports, ESPN or Rivals, but he was offered by West Virginia State, a Division II school outside of Charleston. Kosanovich did not receive any offers from Division I programs, however.

Kosanovich has family ties to the school, according to Mike Bires of the Beaver County Times, who noted that the Quip’s father and aunt are Pitt alums and his brother is currently enrolled. He also noted that Kosanovich is confident in his ability to become a productive passer at Pitt.

The Panthers have five quarterbacks on their roster, meaning Kosanovich will be the sixth. Jeff George Jr. transferred from Michigan last year, and Davis Beville, a former four-star prospect, was the gem of the 2019 recruiting class. Meanwhile, Nick Patti and Justin Sliwoski have been waiting in the wings with Kenny Pickett as the team’s starter. So while Kosanovich is a promising local talent, he’ll have to jump a few hurdles to see the field.