CFB Recruiting: The Next Dorsett? Pitt Panthers Land Aliquippa Running Back

After losing out to Notre Dame for Youngstown, OH running back Will Mahone two weeks ago, Pitt has received a verbal commitment from perhaps an even bigger talent.

Rushel Shell, a native of Aliquippa, 20 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, gave the Panthers an oral commitment on Friday morning, selecting his hometown school over Alabama among others.

Shell is quite a catch for Todd Graham and the Panthers, as Rivals.com has the 6'0", 215-pound running back rated as the fifth-best running back in the 2012 class, while 24/7 Sports has him rated as the fourth best. 

The comparisons to Tony Dorsett, Pitt's only Heisman Trophy winner and the catalyst of the Panthers' 1976 national title, have already begun.  Dorsett also grew up in Aliquippa, and like Shell, turned down scholarship offers from more prestigious programs to stay at home.

While Todd Graham brought his "high-octane" offense from Tulsa when he took over the Panthers in January, his system features running backs more so than other spread offenses.  Ray Graham leads the nation in rushing, averaging 150 yards per game.  He also has 27 catches on the year, displaying the versatility that NFL teams are now demanding in running backs.

Despite only limited success over the past decade, the Panthers have sent many running backs to the NFL, including LeSean McCoy, LaRod Stephens-Howling and Dion Lewis.  Ray Graham has only more year of eligibility remaining should he choose to return to school, so Shell is the future.

The Panthers are stuck in a period of mediocrity, without a conference title since 2004, and struggling to draw large crowds at Heinz Field unless Notre Dame or West Virginia are in town.

Four decades ago, a running back from up the road in Aliquippa turned around the fortunes of the Pitt football.  Will history begin to repeat itself next September?