Pitt Football: Rushel Shell to transfer from Pitt
By Matt Shetler
The Rushel Shell saga seems to have come to a swift end and it is bad news for the Pitt Panthers football team.
According to Jerry DiPaola of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Shell told Panthers head coach Paul Chryst he will transfer from the university, ending his stay with the team after one season.
November 24, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Rushel Shell (4) on the sidelines against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Panthers won 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Shell was absent from spring practice last week amid rumors of potential transfer and later in the week Chryst issued a statement that Shell was taking time away from football to sort out some things. It looks as if those things got sorted out rather quickly as Shell now appears to be a former Panther.
It is also being reported that Shell and Chryst will meet on Tuesday to discuss releasing Shell from his scholarship and where he can transfer.
As per NCAA rules, a player must have written permission from his school before he can contact another school.
After rushing for 641 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman, the Hopewell native was set to be Pitt’s featured back in 2013 as the Panthers prepare for their first season in the ACC. Before the transfer rumors began, Shell was getting all of the first team snaps during spring practice.
The rift between the two sides appeared to have started when Shell was reportedly upset with coaches’ criticism after a scrimmage.
Shell was a major part of the 2012 recruiting class after rushing for state rushing record of 9,078 yards while at Hopewell.
It’s believed that Shell will ultimately transfer to a Pac-12 school, specifically Arizona State to play for former Pitt head coach Todd Graham.
With Shell now out of the mix, it looks as if junior Isaac Bennett and redshirt sophomore Malcolm Crockett will have to shoulder the Pitt rushing attack next season.
Shell was recently named one of the top ten players in college football on the rise by Athlon Sports, so this is a big loss for the Panthers and his talents will definitely be missed.