PITTSBURGH — Freshman quarterback Pat Bostick, Pittsburgh's top recruit and a likely challenger for a starting job this season, left preseason camp for personal reasons and his return is uncertain.

Bostick, who threw for 7,259 yards during his career at Manheim Township High near Lancaster, returned to his home Monday night — only hours after the team held its media day activities in advance of Tuesday's start of camp.

Bostick and Pitt's other incoming freshmen were not made available for interviews Monday.

"With our full support and understanding, Pat Bostick left campus last night and returned home to Lancaster to deal with a personal issue," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said in a statement released Tuesday. "Everyone connected with our program has the highest regard for Pat, not only as a talented football player but also as a fine young man. No timetable has been set for his return. We are leaving that judgment to Pat and intend to do everything we can to be supportive of him and his family."

The 6-3, 220-pound Bostick passed for 2,172 yards and 20 touchdowns last season after having 2,810 yards and 34 touchdowns as a junior. He was ranked as one of the nation's top 50 players by Super Prep magazine.

Pitt has no proven quarterback after losing three-year starter Tyler Palko to graduation, and Bostick was expected to push junior Bill Stull, the likely opening day starter, and redshirt freshman Kevan Smith, a Seneca Valley graduate. Stull has thrown only 10 passes at Pitt and would be one of the least-experienced starting quarterbacks in school history.

Pitt opened camp Tuesday with the first of four days of workouts without pads.