North Jersey football star sticks with Michigan State despite coaching change
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Michigan State football commitment Adam Shaw is standing pat. And soon, he’ll be standing with Pat.
The Pascack Valley linebacker gave a verbal pledge to play for the Spartans back in June. They decided to make a coaching change at the end of the season, at which point Shaw posted on social media that he would stick with the green and white (also, coincidentally, his high school’s colors).
On Dec. 1, Michigan State announced the hiring of former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald (2006-22).
One day later, Shaw got a call from his new coach, which got him ready to put pen to paper on the Dec. 3 early National Signing Day.
“I’m actually really excited to have him be my coach,” Shaw said. “I asked him all sorts of questions, kind of like, ‘Have you seen any of my film? Have you seen me as he seen me work as a linebacker?’ I know he played linebacker as well.
“It was just a really good conversation, and it got me really pumped up.”
His loyalty to the Spartans is only part of the story. Fitzgerald remains committed to the 6-foot-3, 210-pound River Vale resident despite the fact that Shaw’s senior season was curtailed by injury.
Shaw earned North Jersey Athlete of the Week honors after a monster opener against Union City. He stood out for the Panthers at quarterback (four total TDs), linebacker (15 tackles) and on special teams (two blocked kicks).
His quarterbacking days ended before Game No. 2.
“We had just a normal walk-through practice, and that day, I kind of felt like my shoulder was off a little bit,” Shaw said. “Turns out, I hurt my shoulder, but the doctor said I should be 100 percent fine.”
He is now, but not being able to throw for a few weeks made him eager to contribute elsewhere. He switched to running back to help offset an injury to one of his teammates, but that only lasted until Game No. 3 against Teaneck.
“I was running the ball, not even playing linebacker – it was at running back, I got tackled and got hurt,” said Shaw, who suffered a fractured fibula. “But you know, God said it wasn’t the right time, so he put me on a different plan. And I’m currently getting back to healthy right now.”
He is finally past the splint and walking-boot stages, and “I’m able to walk around fine. And I’m just glad I’m able to continue to play football.”
Shaw added that his doctor estimates the soon-to-be-Spartan should be back to normal by the end of the year. Regardless, his new coach understands the situation.
“On my call with Coach Fitz, I told him about that [recovery progress],” Shaw said. “He goes, ‘I’d rather be a couple days late than a day early.’ So, he wants me to make sure I’m fully 100 percent getting there.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Adam Shaw sticking with Michigan State football, coach Pat Fitzgerald
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