Former Indian River star running back Curtis Dukes has left the Penn State football team, coach Bill O’Brien announced at a press conference earlier this week.

Indian River coach Cory Marsell, who coached Dukes when he was the Times Athlete of the Year in 2008, said that he has not spoken with Dukes since the decision was announced.

Marsell did say that it was brought up as a possibility in a conversation with Dukes before Christmas break, and said that Dukes was waiting on his final semester grades to determine whether he could potentially leave the university with a degree.

Dukes would be a redshirt senior should he seek to continue his collegiate career at another program. Due to Penn State’s NCAA sanctions, he would be able to transfer without sitting out the usual one-year waiting period.

Marsell said Dukes was also considering seeking out potential interest from NFL teams. “Those were his two options, as far as I know,” Marsell said.

Dukes was the leading returning rusher for the Nittany Lions entering the 2012 season, but rushed for just 98 yards and didn’t receive a carry after the Sept. 29 game against Illinois.

Dukes told the Times in October that he was unhappy with his decreased playing time and unsure of his future after the season.

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