Rushel Shell III
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Rushel Shell
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|09|07|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 221
| high_school = Aliquippa (PA) Hopewell
| college = West Virginia
| undraftedyear = 2017
| pastteams =
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2017}})*
- Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|2018}})*
| status =
| highlights =
}}
Rushel Shell III (born September 7, 1993) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Pittsburgh and West Virginia, and was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Shell has also been a member of the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
High school career
Shell finished his career as the leading rusher in Pennsylvania state{{cite web|url=http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11316/1189502-365.stm|title=Franklin Regional's 1st field-goal try of season nets winning points|website=www.postgazette.com|access-date=November 12, 2011|archive-date=November 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115013338/http://postgazette.com/pg/11316/1189502-365.stm|url-status=dead}}PIAA football records#Rushing and WPIAL history. He also set a new national record by running for 100 yards or more in 39 consecutive games and ran for 200 yards or more 25 times in his high school career.{{cite web|url=http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11357/1198686-365-0.stm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131192749/http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11357/1198686-365-0.stm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|title=Post-Gazette High School Football Player of the Year: Rushel Shell|website=www.postgazette.com}}
In 2008, Shell was MaxPrep's national freshman of the year{{cite web|url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/DBMWXhHwI0SYWm4udb6eaA/pennsylvanias-shell-tabbed-top-freshman.htm|title=Pennsylvania's Shell Tabbed Top Freshman - MaxPreps|date=January 15, 2009|publisher=}} after rushing for 1,516 yards. He also became the first freshman to ever make the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s "Fabulous 22".{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08332/931176-365.stm|title=Fabulous 22: The top high school football players in the WPIAL and City League|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
In 2009, as a sophomore, Shell rushed for 2,740 yards—becoming only the third player in WPIAL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in the regular season,{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10291/1096076-365.stm|title=Football Notebook: Deer Lakes is looking to end playoff drought|website=www.post-gazette.com}} raising his career total to 4,256.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10228/1080344-365.stm|title=Blue Chip Chat with Rushel Shell|website=www.post-gazette.com}} He was again named to the "Fabulous 22" following the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09330/1016512-365.stm|title=The Fabulous 22: The region's top high school football athletes|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
In 2010, prior to his junior season, he was named the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s preseason player of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/highschool/football/s_696973.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908014430/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/highschool/football/s_696973.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2012|title=Hopewell's Shell leads Trib's All-Preseason Team – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|publisher=}} He ran for 2,102 yards during the regular season (9 games), the third highest total in WPIAL history, and became the first WPIAL player to twice rush for 2,000 yards in the regular season.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10302/1099019-365.stm|title=Shell sets record as Hopewell tops West Allegheny|website=www.post-gazette.com}} He finished the season with 2,510 yards, raising his career total to 6,766. Following the season, he was named the Post-Gazette's player of the year,{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10358/1112980-365.stm|title=Football Player of the Year: Rushel Shell|website=www.post-gazette.com}} was again named to the "Fabulous 22,"{{cite web|url=http://www.postgazette.com/pg/10329/1105916-365.stm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907101749/http://www.postgazette.com/pg/10329/1105916-365.stm|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2012|title=The Post-Gazette's 2010 Fabulous 22|website=www.postgazette.com}} and was selected as the inaugural "Mr. Pennsylvania" for football.{{cite web|url=http://blog.pennlive.com/fanbox/2011/04/green_shell_named_mr_pennsylva.html|title=Green, Shell named Mr. Pennsylvania Football at awards cermony [sic]|date=September 8, 2023 |publisher=}} MaxPreps also named him to their second team All-American team.{{cite web|url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/article.aspx?articleid=a71e3c54-050e-e011-a2e2-001cc494a4ac&page=3|title=2010 U.S. Air Force All-American Team - MaxPreps|date=January 2, 2011|website=MaxPreps.com}}
In 2011, prior to his senior season, he was named to the Post-Gazette's pre-season Fabulous 22.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11238/1169845-365.stm|title=2011 High School Football Preview: Preseason Fabulous 22|website=www.post-gazette.com}} On September 23, he set a new WPIAL record for most career rushing yards.{{cite web|url=http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11267/1177289-365.stm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926193440/http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11267/1177289-365.stm|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2011|title=Super Shell: Hopewell star breaks Vernillo's record on 54-yard run, scores winning TD, too|website=www.postgazette.com}} He finished the regular season with 1,764 yards rushing, the most in the WPIAL.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11308/1187286-365.stm|title=Football Statistical Leaders|website=www.post-gazette.com}} In his last game, he set a new state record for most rushing yards and broke the national record by rushing for 100+ yards for the 39th consecutive game. He finished the season with 2,302 yards, giving him 9,078 yards for his career. Following the season, he was again named the Post-Gazette's player of the year, becoming only the third two-time winner. He was also named second team All-American by Sports Illustrated.{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/highschool/12/15/high-school-all-america-team/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109050421/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/highschool/12/15/high-school-all-america-team/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 9, 2012|title=SI.com's 2011 High School Football All-Americas - More Sports - SI.com|publisher=}}
=Rushing records=
On November 11, 2011, Shell broke the record for most rushing yards in Pennsylvania state history, finishing with 9,078 yards. The former state high school rushing record was 9,027 yards[http://www.bucknellbison.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/young_jeremiah00.html Player Bio: Jeremiah Young – BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229104554/http://www.bucknellbison.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/young_jeremiah00.html |date=December 29, 2010 }} and was held by Bucknell's Jeremiah Young, who played at Steelton-Highspire High School. The total would rank him 10th in national history, according to the 2011 NFHS record book.[http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=3230 NFHS | National High School Sports Record Book 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815043126/http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=3230 |date=August 15, 2012 }}
In the same game, he finished with 100+ yards rushing for the 39th consecutive time, breaking the national record held by former Oklahoma star Billy Sims.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/30944-live-friday-blog-hopewell-vs-franklin-regional|title=Live Friday blog - Franklin Regional wins, 24-21|first=Mike|last=White|publisher=|access-date=November 12, 2011|archive-date=November 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114150628/http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/30944-live-friday-blog-hopewell-vs-franklin-regional|url-status=dead}}
On September 23, 2011, Shell set a new WPIAL record for career rushing yards—finishing the game with 7,718 yards and surpassing Mike Vernillo's record of 7,646.
Shell once held the Beaver County record for most rushing yards in one game (392, set October 8, 2010).[http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1424/2010/october/10/one-shell-on-a-night-for-hopewell.html] {{dead link|date=September 2018}}
=Senior season=
Initial reports were that he ran for the following number of yards in each game:
- September 2 (vs. Belle Vernon): 147 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11246/1172060-365.stm|title=Football Leaders: Rushing, Passing, Receiving|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- September 9 (vs. Montour): 233 yards{{cite web|url=http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/29558-live-friday-night-blog-montour-at-hopewell|title=Live Friday night blog - Hopewell upsets Montour|first=Mike|last=White|publisher=|access-date=September 10, 2011|archive-date=March 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324204619/http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/29558-live-friday-night-blog-montour-at-hopewell|url-status=dead}}
- September 16 (at Moon): 367 yards{{Cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.com/sports/high_school/football/hopewell-moon-area-final/article_82940062-e019-11e0-88db-001a4bcf6878.html |title=Hopewell 56, Moon Area 28, FINAL - Timesonline.com: High School Football: |access-date=September 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930150330/http://www.timesonline.com/sports/high_school/football/hopewell-moon-area-final/article_82940062-e019-11e0-88db-001a4bcf6878.html |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
- September 23 (vs. Mt. Lebanon): 205 yards
- September 30 (at Blackhawk): 109 yards{{cite web|url=http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/30037-live-friday-night-blog-north-allegheny-at-seneca-valley|title=Live Friday night blog - NA wins, 49-28....Clairton scores 84 and Gateway 85|first=Mike|last=White|publisher=|access-date=October 1, 2011|archive-date=November 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103182958/http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/30037-live-friday-night-blog-north-allegheny-at-seneca-valley|url-status=dead}}
- October 7 (vs. New Castle): injured{{cite web|url=http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/30190-rushel-shell-out-for-tonights-game|title=Rushel Shell out for tonight's game|first=Mike|last=White|publisher=|access-date=October 7, 2011|archive-date=October 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023084004/http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/30190-rushel-shell-out-for-tonights-game|url-status=dead}}
- October 14 (at Central Valley): 264 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11288/1182414-365.stm|title=WPIAL Class AAA: Central Valley wins, remains atop Parkway|website=www.postgazette.com|access-date=October 15, 2011|archive-date=December 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202230516/http://postgazette.com/pg/11288/1182414-365.stm|url-status=dead}}
- October 21 (at Ambridge): 226 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11295/1184185-365-0.stm|title=WPIAL Class AAA Roundup: No. 3 Knoch knocks off Highlands|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- October 28 (vs. West Allegheny): 216 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11302/1186099-365.stm|title=Shell ensures Vikings season to continue|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- November 4 (playoffs round 1, at Indiana): 256 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11309/1187817-365.stm|title=WPIAL CLASS AAA ROUNDUP: Hopewell's Shell ties Sims' mark|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- November 11 (playoffs round 2, vs. Franklin Regional): 292 yards
Shell led the WPIAL with 1,764 yards during the regular season and ran for 2,312 yards total, giving him 9,078 yards for his career.
=Junior season=
Initial reports were that he ran for the following number of yards in each game:
- September 3: 168 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10247/1085143-365.stm|title=Football Leaders: Rushing, Passing, Receiving|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- September 10: 318 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10254/1086860-365.stm|title=Football Leaders: Rushing, Passing, Receiving|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- September 17: 267 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10261/1088584-365.stm|title=Football Leaders: Rushing, Passing, Receiving|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- September 24: 137 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10268/1090361-365.stm|title=Football Leaders: Rushing, Passing, Receiving|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- October 1: 132 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10275/1092203-365.stm|title=Football Leaders: Rushing, Passing, Receiving|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- October 8: 392 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10281/1093362-365.stm|title=Football Statistical Leaders|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- October 15: 302 yards{{Cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.com/bct_news/news_details/article/1373/2010/october/15/friday-night-football-update.html |title=Beaver County Times: Friday night football summaries |access-date=October 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020173336/http://www.timesonline.com/bct_news/news_details/article/1373/2010/october/15/friday-night-football-update.html |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
- October 22: 204 yards{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10296/1097603-365.stm|title=Football Leaders: Rushing, Passing, Receiving|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
- October 28: 193 yards
- November 5: 135 yards{{cite web|url=http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/22879-live-friday-blog-hopewell-at-franklin-regional|title=Mars' Miele runs for 448....... Other notes and thoughts|first=Mike|last=White|publisher=|access-date=January 13, 2011|archive-date=July 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715110516/http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/22879-live-friday-blog-hopewell-at-franklin-regional|url-status=dead}}
- November 12: 238 yards{{cite web|url=http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/23049-live-friday-blog-north-hills-vs-upper-st-clair|title=Final Friday night notes and thoughts|first=Mike|last=White|publisher=|access-date=January 13, 2011|archive-date=July 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716144703/http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/varsity-blog/23049-live-friday-blog-north-hills-vs-upper-st-clair|url-status=dead}}
After adjustments were made, his final totals were: 2,102 yards during the regular season (9 games), placing him second in the WPIAL,{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10316/1102580-365.stm|title=Football Statistical Leaders|website=www.post-gazette.com}} and 2,510 yards for the season (an average of 228 per game) — giving him 6,766 for his career.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10323/1104334-365.stm|title=Varsity Notes: Mars coach expecting cell phone updates|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
College career
As a high school senior running back at Hopewell High School, Shell was regarded by many as one of the top high school athletes in the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/p754CHpUEd6OEwAcxJTdpg/maxpreps-fresh-faces-class-of-2012-top-100.htm|title=MaxPreps Fresh Faces Class of 2012 Top 100 – MaxPreps|date=July 28, 2009|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/news/story?id=5367723|title=Villa: Shell becoming a rising star|date=July 9, 2010|website=ESPN.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/OS0aZLBwEd-YiQAcxJSkrA/class-of-2012-football-top-100-watch-list.htm|title=Class of 2012 Football Top 100 Watch List – MaxPreps|date=August 26, 2010|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://rise.espn.go.com/football/articles/2011/08/15-ESPNHS-magazine-Rushel-Shell.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824020306/http://rise.espn.go.com/football/articles/2011/08/15-ESPNHS-magazine-Rushel-Shell.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 24, 2011|title=Espnhs Magazine – Espnhs – High School Sports Rankings, Results, Training, Performance, College Recruiting – How To Win|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/specials/highschool-potw/11/03/hspotw.4/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105054617/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/specials/highschool-potw/11/03/hspotw.4/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2011|title=Hopewell running back Rushel Shell breaks records in backfield. – SI.com – High School Player of the Week|publisher=}} He was ranked as the 11th best overall prospect (and 3rd best Running Back) in the class of 2012 by MaxPreps,{{cite web|url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/6OXSqV_DEeCkhgAcxJSkrA/tom-lemming-unveils-2012-top-100.htm|title=Tom Lemming unveils 2012 Top 100 - MaxPreps|date=April 6, 2011|publisher=}} 20th (#4 RB) by Scout.com,{{cite web|url=http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=4&pid=88&yr=2012|title=Recruiting Football Team News, 247Sports|website=recruiting.scout.com}} 24th (#3 RB) by ESPNU{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/playerrankings/_/view/espnu150/sort/rank/class/2012|title=ESPN Football Recruiting - Player Rankings|publisher=}} and 45th (#5 RB) by Rivals.com.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2867|title=Rivals.com|website=sports.yahoo.com}} After receiving numerous scholarship offers from top football programs throughout the country,{{cite web|url=https://insider.espn.com/college-football/blog?name=kurelic_bill&id=5763169|title=Watch List RB Shell picking up offers from coast to coast|publisher=}} Shell announced his commitment to Pitt on October 14, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11287/1182079-100-0.stm|title=As expected, Hopewell standout commits to Pitt|website=www.post-gazette.com}}
In 12 games with Pitt during his freshman season, Shell rushed for 641 yards on 141 carries and scored 4 touchdowns. He also caught 9 passes for 103 yards.
Prior to his sophomore season, Shell quit the Pitt football team with the intention to transfer to another school.{{Cite web |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/pitt-big-east/pitt-running-back-rushel-shell-to-leave-pitt-681722/ |title=Running back Rushel Shell to leave Pitt - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=April 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405105444/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/pitt-big-east/pitt-running-back-rushel-shell-to-leave-pitt-681722/ |archive-date=April 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Shell initially decided to transfer to UCLA before attempting to return to Pitt, but head coach Paul Chryst refused Shell's request. Shell ultimately narrowed his choices of transfer destinations to the University of Kentucky and West Virginia University before deciding to enroll at West Virginia.
In three seasons with West Virginia, Shell played in 35 games, carrying 450 times for 2,010 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also received 49 passes for 341 yards.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
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| arm span = 30
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| dash = 4.74
| ten split =
| twenty split =
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| cone drill =
| vertical = 32.5
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| bench = 21
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Shell was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2017.{{cite web|title=Steelers agree to terms with nine rookie free agents|url=http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-agree-to-terms-with-nine-rookie-free-agents/0c9918e4-8007-47e9-b7b1-555f4e75aab7|website=Steelers.com|date=April 29, 2017|accessdate=May 3, 2017|archive-date=May 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502115346/http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-agree-to-terms-with-nine-rookie-free-agents/0c9918e4-8007-47e9-b7b1-555f4e75aab7|url-status=dead}} He was waived on June 14, 2017.{{cite web|title=Steelers sign Brandon Brown-Dukes, release RB Rushel Shell|url=https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/article/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-brandon-brown-dukes-release-rb-rushel-shell-53171115/|author=DeArdo, Bryan|website=247Sports.com|date=June 14, 2017}}
Shell was signed by the Calgary Stampeders as a running back on May 17, 2018, but was later released on June 10, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.stampeders.com/transactions/|title=Transactions - Calgary Stampeders|publisher=}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.wvusports.com/profile.cfm?id=102887&sport=football West Virginia Mountaineers bio]
- [http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shell_rushel00.html Pittsburgh Panthers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829132414/http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shell_rushel00.html |date=August 29, 2012 }}
- [http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/Kexflv9gjEynylnrn54yCw/football-fall-10/profile-rushel-shell.htm MaxPreps Profile]
- [https://sports.yahoo.com/highschool/football/recruiting/player-Rushel-Shell-89930 Rivals Profile]
- [http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=4095723 Scout.com Profile]
- [https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/120964/rushel-shell ESPN Profile]
- [https://www.espn.com/blog/high-school/football/post/_/id/1701/get-familiar-rushel-shell ESPN Q&A]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shell, Rushel}}
Category:Sportspeople from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
Category:Players of American football from Beaver County, Pennsylvania
Category:American football running backs
Category:Pittsburgh Panthers football players