
Better than a guy that didn’t want to be here
The Notre Dame football roster is full of great players — known and unknown. No matter the place on the depth chart or the recruiting ranking a player had attached to him before his arrival at Notre Dame — there are probably some things I really like about him. So over the course of the next few months, let’s take a positive approach to running down the roster.
Almost daily (just being honest) I’ll list three things I like about a single player on the roster, and as an additional bonus, I’ll post some extra pics over on the OFD Instagram account (be sure to follow RIGHT HERE).
Next up…
#8 Adon Shuler — Safety
Shuler was a consensus 4-Star recruit, but he wasn’t one of those guys that everyone was talking about during the process. Funny thing though… they should have. The 6’0” 198 pound junior from Irvington High School in Irvington, New Jersey, chose the Irish over an impressive offer list that included perennial defensive powerhouses like the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, Penn State Nittany Lions, and more.
Here are three things I like about Adon Shuler:
1. The unassuming rise.
Like I said… Shuler was ranked as a 4-Star recruit by every service out there, but he was never a name that continually came up as one of the jewels of the class. That was the “Peyton Bowen” cycle, and Notre Dame fans didn’t really know what they had with Shuler. All he did was become a starter as a sophomore on one of the best defenses in the country, and was vital in securing a spot in the national championship game.
All Glory To God pic.twitter.com/qFLZXAH1Bd
— Adon Shuler ✞ (@adon_shuler) January 3, 2025
2. He is a legitimate playmaker.
Shuler made a number of great plays in 2024, and none were bigger than the forced fumble against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. He did, however, rack up 59 tackles (3 TFL), 5 PBU, 3 INT, and a touchdown.
3. A perfect compliment.
There’s no doubt that Shuler benefited in a number of different ways by playing next to Xavier Watts in the secondary all season. One “disadvantage” however, is that teams would look his way more often. And yet… he more than held his own and was able to excel. Whoever plays next to Shuler this year, will benefit much the same way as Shuler did with Watts.
Adon Shuler Steps Into Leadership Role for Notre Dame Defense
“I have to make way more plays this year than I did last year. I have to go into the season with a different mindset. What I did last year isn’t enough. I know that.” https://t.co/Vx80fIXcbZ pic.twitter.com/seCzrGqqDf
— Matt Freeman (@mattfreeman05_) April 11, 2025