Apparently, at least as far as Rushel Shell is concerned, you can’t return home again.
Sunday, it was reported that the running back had undergone a change of heart and would not be transferring to UCLA after all. Additionally, there were reports that Shell had decided to stay at Pittsburgh, from where he had decided to transfer in early April.
To quote Lee Corso, not so fast my friends.
“Shell will not be returning to #Pitt, according to a source with knowledge of the situation,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette‘s Sam Werner tweeted a short time ago. Werner added that, per his source, the Panthers “never seriously entertained the option of Shell returning.”
Around the time of Shell’s transfer, it was thought that he would move on to Arizona State and join former Pitt head coach Todd Graham. It’s unclear if that remains an option -- he had been restricted from going to ASU -- for a player who would likely have to sit out the 2013 season if he moves to an FBS program.
Cal was also considered a viable option for Shell at one point as well.
As the primary 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.