USF linebackers Mac Harris and Jhalyn Shuler couldn't be more different.
Harris is Mr. Personality, a talker, loud when he needs to be, an electric, engaging presence. Shuler is mostly quiet, intense, shadowy, somewhat brooding, a man who seemingly works from a protective shell.
Yet they couldn't be more alike.
Harris and Shuler are the alpha and omega of USF's defense. They have each led the Bulls in tackles in a season. They are separate forces that work together, playing off each other, setting the example and making everyone else a little better.
"We're after the same thing — winning,'' said Shuler, who led the Bulls with 97 tackles in 2023, the first USF season for head coach Alex Golesh. "I know from the outside, we seem like complete opposites, but I think we're better together. You need the sun, but you also need the moon.''
"Jhalyn Shuler is my brother,'' said Harris, who led the Bulls in tackles (82), tackles for loss (12) and sacks (four) last season. "Blood couldn't make us any closer. We want to be the best version of ourselves, not only for the young guys, but for our entire team and program as well.''
Harris (6-0, 230 pounds) and Shuler (6-3, 225) are the obvious leaders in a linebacker room that has been fortified by impact transfers such as Chavez Brown (6-1, 230/North Texas), D.J. McCormick (6-1, 214/UCF) and Rocco Nicholl (6-4, 238/Kent State). There's also the promise of sophomores Rodney Hill Jr. (5-10, 220) and Zavier Hamilton (6-2, 230), plus freshman Gavin Leach (6-2, 216), who was recently singled out by defensive coordinator Todd Orlando as a young player who could have a place in the rotation.
There's also the B-backer position — USF-lingo for a linebacker/defensive end hybrid — that features Rico Watson III (6-0, 238), Ira Singleton (6-5, 240), D.J. Harris (6-2, 248) and Ashton Mosley (6-3, 238).
"We've got a lot of talent and Jhalyn and I want to set a good pace for everyone,'' Harris said. "There's no script for what we do. I feel like as a leader, you also need the ability to follow. If Jhalyn steps out there first and has something to say, I'm going to back him up. We're just going to ping-pong off each other and set the best example for the young guys. And not just the linebackers.''
Cornerback De'Shawn Rucker said he has been inspired by the work of Harris and Shuler.
"When those two guys talk, everyone listens,'' Rucker said. "It's cool to see them work together and balance each other out. They have really helped me with my leadership journey. Whatever we do as a defense, it's going to spring from those guys.''
Shuler said he believes he and Harris can change the attacks of opposing offenses, maybe force them into "small ball'' and working the edges while staying away from the inside box.
"We're both good tacklers,'' Shuler said. "I'm pretty sure you want to avoid us. We have experience and we know what we're doing out there.''
Those qualities have endeared the linebacking duo to Orlando.
"They have both really grown up from the standpoint of understanding what we're doing, why we're calling things and how they can adjust as veterans,'' Orlando said. "When we first got here (in 2023 training camp), we were concerned with lining up properly. With those two guys, they get us lined up and organized and ready to attack.
"They are the example for when we coaches are talking about having a player-led team. We don't have to say too much to those guys. They know what we're looking for and they help to enforce that throughout the team. These are really fun kids. We're at the point now where we can talk about anything. They're almost like family to me.''
Golesh said the leadership of Harris and Shuler figures to be a vital component of USF's aspirations this season. Harris brought that point home recently when he addressed the team during a meeting.
"Our seniors have been speaking to the team each night and telling their stories,'' Golesh said. "When Mac got up, he said, 'Man, I want to be somebody in this linebacker room that I didn't have when I got here, somebody to show the way and set a standard for guys to live up to. When it's their turn, they can hold that standard.'
"That's essentially why good teams stay good, and bad teams stay bad. That has been the challenge for Mac. His highs have been really high. His lows have been really low. He has fought against himself. Now he has discovered who he wants to be. We continue to challenge Mac and Shoe (Shuler) in the same breath.
"The best part is those two guys love each other. They're playing in synch. They both have leadership ability. They want to play really hard for each other and do right by each other. By themselves, they would be really good players. Together, they can be really special.''
You need the sun.
But you also need the moon.
–#GoBulls–
