Sources: Tight End Tyler Sear Leaving Pitt Football Team

According to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, starting Pitt tight end Tyler Sear has left the program.

One source told Pittsburgh Sports Now that Sear got into a heated argument with head coach Pat Narduzzi over the usage of tight ends in the offense and left the practice facility Tuesday, informing coaches he was planning on leaving the team.

Sear, a sophomore from Neshannock High School near New Castle, played in nine game and made two starts as a freshman in 2017 before taking over the starting role this spring when fellow tight end Chris Clark left the team. Sear had started every game this season, but had just two catches for nine yards.

Update, 3:59 p.m: A Pitt spokesperson has confirmed that Sear has left the team due to “personal reasons.”

This is now the second time in a matter of weeks that Pitt has lost a tight end with the same complaint. Last week, junior college tight end Travis Koontz de-committed from Pitt, citing the inactivity of tight ends in Pitt’s 2018 offensive scheme.

If Sear decides to transfer to another Division I team, he would have to redshirt in 2019 and would have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Sear’s departure would leave a big hole in Pitt’s future tight end depth chart.

Pitt will only have two true tight ends on the current roster, along with converted freshman defensive end Kaymar Mimes. It’s possible Pitt will need someone else to switch positions immediately.

Jason Collier is a current member of Pitt’s Class of 2019 but they’ll obviously need to bring in at least one more tight end in this year’s recruiting class.