Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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60 MARCH 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2018 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY COREY BODDEN Notre Dame rover signee Shayne Simon was arguably the heart for his Jersey City (N.J.) St. Pe- ter's Prep team. Simon recorded 55 total tackles and five in- terceptions on defense while leading the team in catches (53), receiving yards (848) and receiv- ing touchdowns (six) to help lead St. Peter's to a New Jersey Interscholas- tic Athletic Association Non-Public Group Four state title appearance. But as a kid, Simon was faced with a chal- lenge not many his age were familiar with. "When I was 9 years old, I had heart sur- gery," Simon told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "I think I had ASD [Atrial Septal Defect] surgery. But I had a hole in one of the atriums." Heart surgery can be a scary situ- ation for anyone going through the process, but even more so for a younger person. However, that wasn't the case for the eventual 6-3, 212-pounder. "I don't remember be- ing scared really," Simon stated. "I was in the doc- tor's office and the doc- tor told my dad and I. "I didn't know what it all really meant. My dad kept the mood light, so I didn't get scared." For a kid that was active before the sur- gery playing a variety of sports, the first few months of recovery weren't easy. "I just remember not being able to laugh for a little bit without pain," Simon explained. "Also, walking was hard, too, because I'd get dizzy. … When I got out of the hospital, I got put on a plan to help get myself back. "So, it started off with walking for a while and then jogging and finally sprinting." But it didn't take too long for Si- mon to feel normal and ready to compete again on a high level. "I knew I was back when I com- peted at the AAU nationals [for track] around four months later," he said. Like most heart issues, Simon con- tinues to have the situation moni- tored, but no concerns have come about since the surgery. "It's yearly," Simon said of his check- ups. "I think I had my last checkup a couple of months ago. … It doesn't really impact me today. I feel healthy and everything has been good." Simon will arrive at Notre Dame this summer entering a rover posi- tion which potentially will include fifth-year senior Drue Tranquill (who recorded 85 tackles last season), ris- ing senior Asmar Bilal and promising rising sophomore Jeremiah Owusu- Koramoah. There will be plenty of competition for Simon to navigate upon his ar- rival, but not even heart surgery can stop him from reaching his goals. ✦ SHAYNE SIMON ROVER 6-3 · 212 ST. PETER'S PREP WEST ORANGE, N.J. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 168 14* 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 133 10^ 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 48 5* 3 * Ranked as an OLB; ranked as a S STATISTICS • Totaled 55 tackles, 15 stops for loss, three sacks and five interceptions during his senior year. Also led the team in catches (53), receiving yards (848) and receiving touchdowns (six), while help- ing St. Peter's Prep to a 9-3 record and the New Jersey Non-Public Group 4 state title game. • During his junior season, Simon recorded 55 total stops, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, four in- terceptions and 13 passes broken up. Also caught 47 passes for 591 yards and three scores. HONORS • Tabbed as a U.S. Army All-American and was a semifinalist for the 2017 Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker). • Following his senior campaign, was named to the All-USA New Jersey first team by USA Today, the All-New Jersey first team by NJ.com and the All-New Jersey first team by News 12. • Picked up 2017 Defensive Player of the Year and All-Area accolades from The Hudson Reporter. • Selected as a first-team All-Non Public School performer by NJ.com in 2016 and 2017. • Four-star member of the PrepStar Top 300 Dream Team, and was ranked as the No. 11 safety and No. 131 overall player in the class of 2018. ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 6, 2018. Made one tackle and broke up one pass in the East team's 17-16 defeat. Was one of four finalists for the Felix "Doc" Blanchard Award, which recognizes a player on the East roster who "exhibits prowess in the classroom and the field." • Participated in Nike Football's The Opening Regional in New Jersey on April 30, 2017. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on July 25, 2017, over offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford, UCLA and others. • Recruited primarily by former defensive coor- dinator Mike Elko, and current defensive coordina- tor and linebackers coach Clark Lea. • Made a visit for the Blue-Gold Game on April 21, 2017, and Irish Invasion on June 9-10, 2017, before his commitment. Returned to South Bend on an official visit for the Echoes Banquet on Dec. 8, 2017. NOTABLE • Born on March 14, 2000. • Plans to major in business. • Hails from the same high school as rising senior quarterback Brandon Wimbush, and is teammates will fellow 2018 signees Jayson Ademilola and Justin Ademilola. • A four-year starter in basketball for St. Peter's. • Carried a 4.0 GPA this past semester. • His father attended Army West Point, while his mother attended Michigan. 2018 PROJECTION • The possible move of Drue Tranquill inside will open up an opportunity for Simon, who has out- standing athleticism and football instincts. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "I think when you talk about that position, playing close to the ball certainly helps. His size; here is a guy that is over 210 pounds already, physically mature but also very smart." Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Clark Lea: "Shayne was top of the board. Not only is he an incredibly talented player, he's a fit. … He's from a great background with great people around him, supportive people, people who challenge him and who hold him accountable." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Simon is a true two-way standout on defense. He's an excel- lent run defender, using his length and strength to destroy blocks on the perimeter, and his speed to attack downhill and make plays behind the line. Simon is a rangy athlete and a sound tackler, which makes him a perfect fit for the Rover position. "Once Simon fills out his frame and adds strength he'll have a chance to become a true impact player as a run defender, a pass rusher and in coverage." Shayne Simon Overcomes Major Obstacle On Path To ND Simon had heart surgery when he was 9 years old, but he has not let that derail his football career. PHOTO BY COREY BODDEN