Transfers are a fact of life in college sports, and teams like Robert Morris have benefited in the past.
But the Colonials have also lost some players over the years, and the latest departure might sting a little bit. Promising freshman receiver Alex Caratelli has decided not to return to the team. There is no word yet on his potential destination, but Caratelli apparently decided that Robert Morris no longer was a fit for him and notified the staff of his intentions.
Caratelli played in four games and caught six passes for 94 yards as a true freshman last year. He made a splash in the first game of the season by catching his first career pass for a touchdown. But he was in and out of the lineup as Joe Walton tried to find the right mix at receiver and eventually leaned on more experienced players to help an inconsistent offense.
With Donte Jeter graduating and three experienced tight ends gone, Caratelli was looking like a potential candidate as a starter opposite of Duane Mitchell to bolster Robert Morris' passing attack under new offensive coordinator Darrin Hicks. Instead, that competition will now likely boil down to Sean Gavin, Chad Dawgiello, D.J. Hayes, Chaq Nettles, and potentially any incoming freshmen.
Caratelli's departure does help explain why the Colonials have continued to hunt for bigger possession receivers even after securing the commitment of Kyle Buss. At 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, Caratelli was the tallest receiver on the roster last year.
Freshman punter Zach Sampson, who faced another year of waiting behind the excellent Tony LaMancusa, will also apparently not be coming back. The departures mean Robert Morris can now add 17 players to the current roster to hit the maximum training camp size of 90.
But the Colonials have also lost some players over the years, and the latest departure might sting a little bit. Promising freshman receiver Alex Caratelli has decided not to return to the team. There is no word yet on his potential destination, but Caratelli apparently decided that Robert Morris no longer was a fit for him and notified the staff of his intentions.
Caratelli played in four games and caught six passes for 94 yards as a true freshman last year. He made a splash in the first game of the season by catching his first career pass for a touchdown. But he was in and out of the lineup as Joe Walton tried to find the right mix at receiver and eventually leaned on more experienced players to help an inconsistent offense.
With Donte Jeter graduating and three experienced tight ends gone, Caratelli was looking like a potential candidate as a starter opposite of Duane Mitchell to bolster Robert Morris' passing attack under new offensive coordinator Darrin Hicks. Instead, that competition will now likely boil down to Sean Gavin, Chad Dawgiello, D.J. Hayes, Chaq Nettles, and potentially any incoming freshmen.
Caratelli's departure does help explain why the Colonials have continued to hunt for bigger possession receivers even after securing the commitment of Kyle Buss. At 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, Caratelli was the tallest receiver on the roster last year.
Freshman punter Zach Sampson, who faced another year of waiting behind the excellent Tony LaMancusa, will also apparently not be coming back. The departures mean Robert Morris can now add 17 players to the current roster to hit the maximum training camp size of 90.
