Shuler shines in WVU debut, now consistency key
When it comes to the first time a player sees game action, coaches never truly know what they’ll get.
No matter how well individual players practice or are prepared from a mental standpoint, the true test is when they’re put onto the field for the first time in a true college football atmosphere.
Well, it didn’t take long to see exactly what redshirt freshman defensive end Adam Shuler brought to the table.
Shuler was inserted into the game on the third series and immediately stood out making a tackle. Later he would force a fumble in the second quarter on the most successful Missouri drive of the game to that point giving the football back to the Mountaineers.
“He got out there and played fast, played physical and played with energy. He looked good. Play more. Do it again. Excited to watch him,” head coach Dana Holgorsen said.
One play in particular stood out in the fourth quarter when Shuler applied pressure off the edge on the quarterback, only to see the ball quickly thrown to a wide receiver Chris Black away from him. While that might be enough for some defensive linemen, for Shuler the play was just beginning.
As Black would initially weave in and out around defenders and then proceed to cut up field, it would be the 6-foot-4, 267-pound, Shuler that quickly moved into the frame chasing down the ball carrier ten yards down the field to deliver a punishing hit and send him to the turf.
“It’s exciting to watch,” defensive line coach Bruce Tall said.
Shuler finished his college debut with six tackles and a forced fumble living up to his preseason billing when he was one of the most talked about players along the defensive line. But it’s important to remember that it is only one game and consistently playing well will be the key.
Tall has seen the energy out of Shuler on a day-to-day basis in practice and believes his personality is one that will avoid a second-game let down but after playing around 60-percent of the total snaps in the opener there is room for him to continue to see action on the field.
Given his inexperience, Shuler is just starting to scratch the surface on what his potential could be down the road but for now the coaches are pleased with what he brings to the defensive line rotation.
“He has really good length, strength and speed. For a defensive lineman he runs extremely well. You love finding guys with that kind of length that can run and he can match it in the weight room,” Tall said.