Pitt has landed 12 commitments so far this summer; in no particular order:
1. Patrick Amara (ATH)
2. Adam Bertke (QB)
3. Dennis Briggs (RB)
4. Connor Dintino (OL)
5. Mike Grimm (OL)
6. Connor Hayes (OL)
7. Mike Herndon (OL)
8. Avonte Maddox (ATH)
9. Brian O'Neill (TE)
10. Shane Roy (DE)
11. Jalen Williams (DB)
12. Quintin Wirginis (LB)
Some notable things about these guys...
Bertke is 6'5" and 210lb QB who can move. He had over 1,000 yds rushing in high school last year. Briggs practiced at safety and at RB with Pitt, and they chose him for his offensive playing skills. Dintino said that he "felt right" at Pitt with Coach Chryst. Grimm is the 4 star lineman from Bethel Park, he's trying to get Shai McKenzie to also commit to Pitt. Herndon is similar in size to Grimm, but Pitt is recruiting him for defense instead of offense. O'Neill is 6'6" 230lb tight end and Roy checks in at 6'5" 220lbs, both 3 star recruits. Williams liked Pitt even before his visit, Wirginis chose Pitt because of its closeness to Fox Chapel, his hometown.
As for Rushel Shell...
It was announced April 2, 2013 that Shell intended to transfer. Pitt blocked the transfer to Arizona and Arizona State, so Shell ultimately chose UCLA. Monday the twitterverse and the news were buzzing with the news that Shell had decided NOT to transfer to UCLA; he was reaching out to Pitt about coming back this year. Sources said he decided to remain local for the sake of his twin daughters.
It was funny to me to watch the reaction in April and the reaction this week on Twitter about the situation. People were spiteful and downright hateful at Shell's decision to leave, but then they wanted to welcome him back with open arms this week. SAY WHAT???
I really had no hard feelings about him wanting to transfer. Let's keep in mind, I used to work with his real dad, great guy, really funny, so I have a hard time giving the kid a bad rap. If he wanted to transfer, let him go, he obviously didn't want to be here. Why keep him around?
When I heard the news that Shell wanted to come back, I just laughed. That was the game changer for me. I'm not saying I hate him now, but there's no way Pitt was going to take him back. As a Pitt alumni, I felt like I could say with 99.99% certainty that they were NOT going to take him back. Panther pride runs deep in Oakland; we bleed blue and gold.
Football is a team sport with a team mentality. I hate to be cliché, but there's no "I" in team. Shell made it clear he didn't want to be a part of Pitt football. He sought other schools to transfer to, then decided he wanted to come back to the team he abandoned? The answer is most definitely NO!! Does Shell think this is the NFL and he can make it known he wants to be traded but stay when no offers come in? It's college ball, not pro ball. Pitt made the right decision by not allowing him to use them as a doormat.
I'm sure it would've been nice to have him on the team this year. I'm sure he would've done big things (since Ray Graham graduated) he would be the go to guy. Coach Chryst is trying to instill values, morals, and character while being a great coach to these young men. Denying Shell's return was a big stand for Coach Chryst and I fully support him and the university's decision.