Apparently the crazy saga that is Rushel Shell’s collegiate football career has finally come to a conclusion, at least as it regards the Pitt Panthers.
Just one day after expressing his desire to return to Pitt, Shell won’t get the chance as he found out today that the University has no intentions of allowing him to return.
As I reported on Sunday, Shell had a change of heart and elected not to transfer to UCLA after all and expressed an interest in returning to Pitt, where he would have been eligible to play this season, as he never officially enrolled at UCLA.
But while the Hopewell native wanted to return home, it looks as if he burned too many bridges on his way out of town as Pitt head coach Paul Chryst never seriously entertained the thought of allowing the sophomore to return.
Had he not elected to start this circus to begin with, Shell- a five-star recruit and the WPIAL’s all-time leading rusher- would have been the featured back in the Panthers offense for the next two to three years.
As the top backup to Ray Graham last season, Shell rushed for 641 yards and four touchdowns. Both of those totals were good for second on the team, and tops among returning backs.
Now who knows what the future holds for the talented back?
It was initially thought that he would head to Arizona State to join former Pitt head coach Todd Graham, but Pitt blocked Shell from heading either Arizona or Arizona State. Cal was also rumored to be an option around the time of his initial transfer, but reports suggest that the 19-year old wants to return home to be closer to his family and his two children, so who knows what doors will open for him.
Only one thing is for certain though and that is the fact that the door has apparently closed for any chance of a return to Pitt.
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