Adon Shuler and Drayk Bowen set a clear tone to open Notre Dame’s fall camp: “leave no doubt.” Shuler said last season’s finish did not change the mission: “We left it to the judges last year, and that’s on us,” while Bowen tied the offseason motto directly to avoiding another slow start, saying Notre Dame does not want its future “in the hands of others.”
Both veterans sounded like returning captains who know exactly what this camp is about. Shuler stressed blocking out preseason praise — “don’t feed into the noise” — and said every practice rep and meeting has to be intentional. Bowen pointed to player-led summer work as proof of the team’s buy-in, saying those coachless sessions “went very well” because of the leadership and experience on the roster. There was also some camp-level roster context, with Bowen calling out young linebackers Thomas Davis Jr. and Ja’Kobe Clapper for taking steps over the summer.
- Shuler said the defense wants offenses to feel it everywhere: “No matter where we go with the ball, there’s going to be a guy there.”
- Bowen said one of his biggest personal points of emphasis is playing off movement better in the current defense and attacking downhill.
- Shuler said leadership is not just on him and Bowen: “Everybody can lead,” with each player owning a role.
- Bowen praised CJ Carr’s summer command of the offense and said his leadership “really” showed up in player-run work.
- Both players raved about Shields Hall, with Shuler calling it a “huge upgrade” and Bowen singling out the recovery room, plus the food.
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