Mickey Shuler is an important and unsung contributor for the high-powered Nittany Lion offense, playing in every game the past two seasons. With the graduation of three of the most productive wideouts in program history, the fifth-year senior tight end should have the opportunity to be more prominently featured in the passing game this fall. Blessed with excellent skills, size and instincts, Shuler has the ability to find holes in opposing defenses and has good speed. He is a good athlete and blocker with reliable hands and has worked hard to improve his strength throughout his career. His efforts in the weight room have helped him add more than 25 pounds to his frame since arriving on campus. The dedicated and hard-working Shuler is coming off another great winter conditioning session and spring and likely will continue to battle fellow senior Andrew Quarless for the majority of tight end snaps. Shuler is on schedule to graduate in December. He earned a 3.44 grade-point average during the spring semester and is a potential Academic All-Big Ten candidate. He is another player with strong family ties to the Penn State program. His father, Mickey Sr., was an acclaimed tight end for the Nittany Lions, lettering from 1975-77 before embarking on a standout 14-year career in the National Football League.
2008 Junior Season
Shuler was an effective blocker and receiver for an attack that was ranked in the Top 20 nationally in rushing, total and scoring offense. Playing in every game, with six starts, he made nine receptions for 120 yards and one touchdown. Shuler had a very productive game in the 45-14 thumping of Oregon State, catching a season-high three passes for 48 yards, including a five-yard touchdown grab from Daryll Clark in the first quarter. Shuler also made a 24-yard catch on third down to get the ball onto the Beavers[apos] side of the field and set up Evan Royster[apos]s touchdown run to open the scoring. Shuler made the Nittany Lions[apos] longest play of the game at Iowa, catching a 23-yard option pass from Derrick Williams in the fourth quarter. In the win over Indiana, Shuler caught two passes for 31 yards. He was slowed just before mid-season by a sprained ankle. Shuler was on the field for 401 snaps, led by 68 against Oregon State and 46 in the 48-7 win at Wisconsin.
2007 Junior Season
Playing in every game on offense and special teams, Shuler made significant strides, improving as a receiver and blocker. He made seven catches for 91 yards (13.0 avg.), with starts against Buffalo, Iowa and Wisconsin. In the season-opener against Florida International, Shuler grabbed his first career pass and ran it into the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown. He finished the game with four receptions for 54 yards. Shuler made two grabs for 21 yards in the 38-7 win over the No. 19 Badgers. In the regular-season finale at Michigan State, Shuler grabbed a critical 16-yard reception on third down, in a drive that eventually would lead to a Rodney Kinlaw touchdown run. He also hustled downfield to save a punt from going into the end zone, with Rich Ohrnberger downing the ball at the Spartan one-yard line. Shuler saw action on 434 plays, led by 68 in the 31-10 victory over Notre Dame.
2006 Sophomore Season
In his first season on the field, Shuler gained experience at tight end and fullback and saw action in several games. He provided depth at tight end behind starter Andrew Quarless and seniors Kevin Darling and Patrick Hall.
2005 Freshman Season
Redshirt season.
High School
A three-sport standout at East Pennsboro HS, Shuler had outstanding junior and senior seasons. As a junior for Coach Todd Stuter, he made 40 catches for 562 yards and seven touchdowns. As a senior, he caught 40 passes for 564 yards and three scores and was selected team MVP. At linebacker, he recorded 100 tackles, with 10 tackles for losses, five sacks, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. His performance as a senior garnered him second-team all-state honors and he was named first-team all-conference as a tight end and linebacker. Shuler also ran the 400 meters and hurdle events for the track and field squad that was coached by his mother, Sue. He was a two-time MVP of the basketball squad and first-team all-conference selection. An outstanding student, Shuler was ranked in the Top 30 of his class when he graduated.
Personal
Full name is Mickey Charles Shuler. He is the son of Mickey and Sue Shuler. Mickey Sr. was a standout tight end for the Nittany Lions, earning letters from 1975-77. He was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 1976 NFL Draft and enjoyed a highly successful career with the Jets (1978-89) and Philadelphia Eagles (1990-91). The younger Shuler is a kinesiology major, who is on schedule to graduate in December. Born October 9, 1986.
Shuler[apos]s 2008 Game-by-Game
Receiving (Catches-Yards-TD)
Coastal Carolina 0-0-0; Oregon State 3-48-1; Syracuse 0-0-0; Temple 1-3-0; Illinois 0-0-0; Purdue 0-0-0; Wisconsin 0-0-0; Michigan 1-9-0; Ohio State 1-6-0; Iowa 1-23-0; Indiana 2-31-0; Michigan State 0-0-0; USC 0-0-0.