This really shouldn’t be a surprise. Rushel Shell has apparently decided that he still wants to transfer.
The destination isn’t confirmed. It’s rumored that it will be somewhere in the Pac-12. I really can’t believe Pitt would let him go to Arizona State, but there are plenty of other options.
Cynically you can make a logical case for Shell to transfer. Think about it. He is a 4-/5-star talent coming out of high school. He plays as a freshman in a partial load, but not much workload .Shows the potential that tantalizes as a number one back.
He decides to transfer. That means sitting a year. Only practicing with the scout team and working out. He then plays one season. At which point he turns pro. Much lower treadlife on his body/legs. As far as his character, he can point to helping hold the recruiting class together after Fraud Graham. Then he just says, hey, he tried but it just didn’t work with Chryst.A perfectly reasonable rationalization.
Is it bull? Perhaps. But it is also a plausible scenario to sell.
The loss of Shell hurts Pitt this year, and perhaps next year. That really shouldn’t be a debate. Losing talent like Shell is never good. Chemistry and long-term, it isn’t so clear. It’s now up to Chryst and the rest of the team to make his loss negligible.
He is NOT a Dorsett, not even close… or a Brian Davis for that matter.
He simply does not have the kind of quickness or top-end speed required to be a real game-breaker like many hoped. He also seems to lack the mental-toughness necessary to become a true power running tailback which looks like the role he was better suited to play.
To me the closest comparison for Shell has always been Maurice Clarett. In terms of size, speed or lack thereof… this was/is the kind of back we could have hoped for Shell to be… which ain’t bad considering the kind of performances Clarett was able to put out before falling from grace.
Now, with everything that has transpired with Shell, the Clarett comparison looks to be more accurate for this kid than anything else… meaning a short-lived college career and “NO NFL.”
The bottom line here… with his transfer the only thing that’s going to be missed is the problems he would cause come fall.
In my opinion and obviously a growing number of Pitt bloggers, the team is better off.
GO PITT
“I think all these guys, you want to do what’s best for each individual,” Chryst said Thursday. “That’s paramount. These are individuals, and then you also want to make sure that you’re doing what’s best for your team. And I think you can do them both at the same time.”
Read more: link to post-gazette.com
Sitting here looking at my beautiful daughters wondering how someone could ever consider leaving #Selfish #somethingsneverchange !
The kicker is that Shell’s mom spposedly rewteeted this so she is not happy at all. He comes off as a pretty selfish person but who knows?
While I don’t think he’ll start, at least not right away… James Connor will turn out to be Shell’s replacement as far as role goes.
From what I’ve seen, he looks to have the kind of mental toughness that gives him even more upside than Shell.
Her perfect replacement is right down the street at Duquesne!
A program on “life support” is one that has been 0-12 to maybe 2-10 on a consistent basis. Pitt is more like the average patient (to use your medical theme). They play average, going 6-6 to 8-5, usually go to a bowl game and they would be considered in average health. Hence, we all want them to move from mediocrity, to above average, to being in great physical condition. Hail to Pitt!
Statement from Pitt Head Football Coach Paul Chryst:
“Rushel and I met on Tuesday morning and he informed me of his final decision to transfer. I wish him only the best moving forward. Out of respect for Rushel, his family and his privacy, this will be my final comment on the matter.”
that is awesome! movin on! PC comes off as this aw shucks, mild mannered guy but I think he might just be a demanding hard ass on the practice field and in the film room. love it!! exactly what pitt needs.
would have someting to do with this.
whar happened at pitt was just a excuse he is running away from them he wants to be free he does not want to man up this is my bet.
Whoever pointed out transferring in regards to Savage is spot on. Savage transferred twice so he would be double the quitter Shell is according to you guys. Why would you want a two time quitter being your starting QB? I mean seriously how crazy does that sound. Russell Wilson “quit” on NC State and transferred to Wisconsin. He clearly can’t be a leader either. You are allowed to go to school where you want to go to school. If you don’t like it at a school you are allowed to transfer. Don’t take it personally.
Marissa Pursley ?@_rissarozay13 1h
Sitting here looking at my beautiful daughters wondering how someone could ever consider leaving #Selfish #somethingsneverchange !
Interesting now this morning his mother is defending him and attacking Madden for criticizing him.
Hey good luck to him and I do hope the “alternate universe” scenario works for him…
… because Pitt is better off. This was just not the right time or place for Shell… whatever the reasons good or bad. ‘star’ players transfer all time if we googled the other spring practices of other programs I am sure this is playing out ever where.
Gotta love what PC is doing… the tough unseen things to get this program to where it should be…
… watch the Pitt video interviews on the other players and how hard they are working… let’s not forget them.
This is a team now… works hard, intelligent, self motivated players… as he said… he ain’t ‘selling’ this program to anyone… you want to be hear to win or you don’t.
I don’t agree with your analogies, players like Savage who leave because of playing time are different than someone that the whole offense is depending on. Joe Flacco is a prime example. In fact it seems that this situation is unprecedented. I can’t think of a situation like it. His face is on the Media Guide for crying out loud.
Maybe the Russell Shell situation is closer, not sure of the details of why he left NC State, but he did fulfill his four year obligation.
You are right, if you don’t like it you can transfer. It doesn’t make it any less dumbfounding.
wbb, Madden is a shock jock, nothing more nothing less, he thrives on controversy and is very entertaining if you like that sort of thing.
I love the way he belittles idiots, that others let yammer on. Those that are sensitive, don’t have to listen to him.
No problem.
Welcome to the real world out there RS. Pull an act like this in the real world and you get sued for breach of contract. Then you pay attorneys.
re rs there’s much to comment on about the transfer. i like reading all of your opinions. but try to leave the family aspects out of the discussions. we’ll never know what’s going on there and it’s none of our business.
re hcpc. we see and mostly read about his public personna– an ‘aw shucks” kind of guy. bet he’s much different on the job. he gets 3 years to show improvement. most would consider this w/l. i’m probably willing to stretch to 5 years. we’re not a destination job.
re hcab kudos. i’m sorry you couldn’t sustain/improve on your earlier success at pitt. you’re a person of character and any community will benefit from your belonging. i hope that opportunity is local.
keep calm
Should wish him well?
Hail to Pitt!
