Four walk-on players have left the Pitt football team in advance of spring practice, including one that might’ve been in line for a role in 2019.
Fullback Jason Edwards, linebacker Chase Villani and wide receivers Alex Capstick and Charles Chustckie have all left the program, a spokesperson confirmed to Pittsburgh Sports Now.
All four players were true freshmen that redshirted in 2018 and would have been entering their redshirt freshman season. Edwards told PSN he intends to transfer from Pitt and has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. He, Villani and Capstick are still enrolled at Pitt. Chustckie is not.
Edwards was the one player of the four that might have been in line for the possibility of some playing time in 2019. The graduation of George Aston left Pitt without a scholarship fullback on the roster.
With Edwards’ departure, just two fullbacks remain listed on Pitt’s roster, both local walk-ons: redshirt senior Ryan Sliwoski (Hempfield) and redshirt sophomore Peyton Deri (Norwin).
Some amount of turnover of walk-ons from year-to-year is common. Pitt has had at least one walk-on earn a scholarship in each of Pat Narduzzi’s four seasons as head coach.
Long snapper Cal Adomitis, kicker Alex Kessman, tight end Jim Medure and center Jimmy Morrissey all started at Pitt as walk-ons, as did Aston, wide receiver Kellen McAlone and linebacker Seun Idowu, who also graduated.
Fullbacks are such unique individuals and characters. Love these guys and they are critical to the run game. And the ones that can catch out for he backfield are worth their weight in gold
Critical to the run game? They’re obsolete in today’s game. Time for Pitt to get with the times
I believe George Ashton will be the first Pitt player drafted in this years NFL draft.
He will not be drafted unless some team burns a 7th round pick on him. He’ll sign as an UDFA for one of the 3 or 4 teams who still use a FB.