Adon Shuler’s rise in the Notre Dame defense has been fast and impressive. After ascending the depth chart last season, he now enters his third spring as the elder statesman in a young safety room.
It’s a testament to both the youth in the Irish secondary and the impact Shuler made during the 2024 season - a breakout campaign that saw the New Jersey native tally 59 tackles and three interceptions.
The New Jersey native is also embracing his time at Notre Dame as he knows it goes by fast.
“It feels surreal in a sense,” stated Shuler. “I feel like I just got here three years or 2.5 years ago. It’s the goal. When I talked to Cam (Hart) and DJ (Brown), when I first got here, they said just utilize all the time you get because it comes fast.”
Now, Notre Dame is relying on him to lead, a responsibility Shuler is ready for after watching former All-American Xavier Watts set the tone in previous seasons.
“Leading by example,” said Shuler. “I feel that’s the best way you can be a leader. That’s what X did every day. He came in and led by example. Everybody followed what he did. That’s what I want to do. I want to be the standard for the young guys coming in, for the recruits: ‘What is Notre Dame and what does it stands for?’ I want to be that guy.”
One of Shuler’s key focuses this offseason has been improving his communication on the field. With Watts gone, the Irish need a strong voice to anchor the back end of the defense.
“Just become a student of the game and seeing what the offense is throwing at us before they even come out and before the motions,” Shuler explained. “Seeing what are the weak points in the defense to help us become more sound in a sense.”
Despite having a breakout season, Shuler isn’t content. In fact, it might sound cliché, but Shuler is his toughest critic.
“Being consistent,” Shuler said when asked where he’s improved. “I felt like I had a lot of up-and-down games last year where I wasn’t as consistent as I wanted to be. Being consistent has been my main focus. Just coming in every day with the same mindset.”
When it comes to confidence, Shuler has never lacked it. It’s why he was able to showcase his talents in fall camp and win the starting role last fall despite a lack of experience.
“I would say my confidence is the same,” explained Shuler. “Always remain humble and stay focused on the goals and block out the noise. That was last year. 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. That’s not my goal, to be talked about what I did last year. It’s to make more plays this year.”
To do that, he and the Irish defense must adjust to the tweaks of the new defensive coordinator, Chris Ash. This spring, that’s meant diving into zone coverages — a notable shift from the man-heavy schemes of former DC Al Golden.
“Everybody comes in with their goals and aspirations,” Shuler stated. “Coach Ash’s goal is to enhance us and make us better. Every day we’re in the lab, but we’re just trying to get better and be the best version of ourselves we can be.”
The versatility Shuler is developing under Ash’s scheme could be a game-changer for Notre Dame and his own future.
“Everybody in the country last year knew we were playing man every snap,” said Shuler. “Just being a versatile team. That’s what they look at for the next level as well: Can you play zone? Can you play man? This defense will help me be a complete safety.”
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