Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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64 MARCH 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2023 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MIKE SINGER Notre Dame had several players com- mit to the Irish just to later back off their pledges and "flip" to another school. Oftentimes when a player gives a very early commitment — for example, be- fore his junior season — and then sees his recruitment blow up with new pow- erhouse offers, that may lead to a de- commitment. This was exactly the case with five- star defensive end Keon Keeley. But it certainly wasn't the case for Irvington (N.J.) High four-star safety Adon Shuler. The likes of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas A&M and others offered him after he gave his Irish commitment in August 2021. Shuler didn't imme- diately shut down every program that contacted him. He did his due diligence. "No matter what school it was, I gave them consideration and talked it over with my family," Shuler said. "It's the best thing to have options and have re- lationships with college coaches." He didn't visit any other colleges after giving his Notre Dame commitment, except for a bus tour that he went on with his high school. That tour even in- cluded a trip to South Bend. "The loyalty to Notre Dame," Shuler said when asked why he stayed solid with the Irish. "Coach Freeman, Coach Chad [Bowden] and Coach O'Leary made me feel like home, and I didn't think I could get that at any other school." For the other prospects that did de- commit from Notre Dame, such as Keeley and five-star safety Peyton Bowen, Shuler understands their decision. "It sucks when you build a relation- ship with someone but then can't play with them," he said. "I understand, though. At our age, it's hard to make decisions and make everyone happy. I'm glad they're going to great schools and I'll be keeping in touch with them." Shuler enrolled at Notre Dame in January, and the All-American Bowl participant will look to make an instant impact. "I need to be versatile and play high, the boundary, the field and even a little nickel," he said. ✦ Adon Shuler Stayed Loyal To Notre Dame ADON SHULER SAFETY 5-11 · 197 IRVINGTON H.S. IRVINGTON, N.J. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 266 25 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 240 16 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 40 7 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 27 2 STATISTICS • Racked up 211 tackles and 10 interceptions in his career. • Posted 103 tackles and 3 interceptions as a senior, plus had 43 rushing attempts for 567 yards and 4 touchdowns. • As a junior in 2021, totaled 80 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 6 inter- ceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), 3 blocked field goals and 2 special teams scores. NOTABLE • 2023 All-American Bowl participant. • 2022 NJ.com All-State first-team defense. • 2022 and 2021 Jersey Sports Zone All-Zone Public first-team defense. • 2022 USA Today Network All-New Jersey first- team defense. • 2021 USA Today Network All-Essex County first- team defense. • 2020 All-Super Football Conference first-team defense. • Helped lead Irvington to its first state sectional championship in program history in 2021. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on Aug. 15, 2021. • Enrolled at Notre Dame in January. • Picked the Fighting Irish over Maryland and Penn State. • Also landed offers from Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Texas A&M after making his pledge to Notre Dame, but stayed true to his commitment. • Recruited by safeties coach Chris O'Leary. • Visited Notre Dame six times, including his of- ficial visit on June 10, 2022. 2023 PROJECTION • Shuler is a well-rounded, smart player, which could make him a candidate to get playing time as a true freshman in the Irish secondary. THEY SAID IT Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden: "I had a chance to watch him practice live in the spring. He's a guy who is playing wildcat quarterback on of- fense. Really excited about that. He can strike. Adon is a really physical player and a competitor." On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power: "I thought he showed out well at the All- American Bowl and during his senior season, which was a considerable improvement to me from his junior year. I love his instincts, toughness and how hard he plays. "The effort in pursuit is impressive. He's a guy who always seems to be in the right spot. He's a heady, smart player." National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "Shuler has great length, quick hands and feet, and ice water in his veins. He's very physical against the run, shows loose hips and the ability to turn and run with swift receivers. "A quick-twitch athlete who is very coachable and focused, Shuler is best suited to play free safety be- cause of his range and ability to come up and stuff the run." Shuler received interest from schools such as Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Texas A&M after com- mitting to the Irish in August 2021, but he said Notre Dame felt like home and he didn't think he could get that at any other school. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM