Rushel Shell won the Post-Gazette Player of the Year award for the second straight time:
His first time in a Hopewell High School uniform, his first game, his first carry -- and Rushel Shell's greatness was evident.
The first time he touched the ball as a wide-eyed freshman, Shell was in the end zone 55 yards later. One carry. One touchdown. One gigantic sign of things to come.
Four years later, Shell leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to duplicate. He is the most prolific runner in the history of Pennsylvania high school football, a holder of WPIAL, state and national records -- and now one of the select few to be named a two-time winner of the Post-Gazette Player of the Year award.
He also won a Pennsylvania Player of the Year Award.
Shell remains committed to Pitt from all indications and it would be a colossal loss if he had a change of heart. If he stays, though, Paul Chryst will be off to a heck of a start in his coaching career.
So far, it sounds as if Shell has no problem with Pitt's hire.
When asked about the hire, Shell seems like he still thinks he belongs at Pitt."I think I'd fit pretty well," he said.
Shell remains fully committed to Pitt, he said Thursday after the Panthers hired Chryst, the former Wisconsin offensive coordinator.
He added:
I'm used to the I-formation; I ran it my whole high school career," Shell said. "I think adapting to that will be a lot easier than adapting to a spread offense."
Other Pitt recruits have reportedly given their stamp of approval and Pitt's class, for now, seems to be sticking together.