Pitt dismisses starting DE, suspends three other players
Pitt senior defensive end Rori Blair is no longer a member of the team.
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi announced Friday that Blair had been dismissed from the team for what he termed “conduct detrimental to the program. In the same statement, Pitt said three players would be suspended for the start of the season.
Offensive tackle Alex Bookser has been suspended for the Panthers’ first game of the season vs. Youngstown State while linebacker Quentin Wirginis and defensive back Jordan Whitehead are suspended for the first three games of the season.
“Our program’s foundation will always be built on discipline and personal responsibility,” Narduzzi said in a statement. “These are highly disappointing situations but I am hopeful that each of these young men will be better, stronger and wiser after taking accountability for their actions.
Blair had 22 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2016, while Bookser is a possible starter along Pitt’s offensive line.
Whitehead is a starter too. The safety had 65 tackles and two passes broken up in 2016. Wirginis had 28 tackles and four sacks in 2016. Both players will miss key non-conference games vs. Penn State and Oklahoma State in addition to the Youngstown State game.
For more Pitt news, visit PantherLair.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
