This has not been a pleasant offseason for Pitt and coach Paul Chryst.
First, they lost talented running back Rushel Shell after a very promising freshman season, when he decided he wanted to transfer.
Then, there were legal troubles.
Three Pitt players were in a house when police and SWAT members made a massive drug bust last week. Three players were detained and mailed an arrest summons for using or possessing drug paraphernalia. They were suspended immediately, and now two of those players have been dismissed.
Tight end Drew Carswell was a key reserve last year, with 13 catches, 163 yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Eric Williams started 11 games at strongside linebacker, and had 52 tackles and an interception. Both would have been juniors in the fall, but both have been kicked off the team. The third player involved in the incident, defensive tackle Khaynin Mosley-Smith, remains indefinitely suspended.
Also, quarterback Tra'Von Chapman, formerly a four-star recruit, was suspended indefinitely. The Associated Press said he was arrested in Ohio last week on charges of assault and unlawful restraint and pleaded not guilty.
Chryst will probably be happy when this offseason ends.
- - -
Want to join the conversation? Hit us up on Twitter @YahooDrSaturday and be sure to "Like" Dr. Saturday on Facebook for football conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog.