Name: Jake Shaffner
School: Colgate
Position: LS
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 235

Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?

The goals I set for myself going into the season was for perfect operations in both punt and field goals. My second goal was more of a promise to myself to stay after practice to get extra reps in. Since I played linebacker as well as long snapper I wasn’t able to get as many practice reps when compared to someone who is just a long snapper. Through the season I continued to work on my craft and saw great improvements in my snapping. We had no punts or field goals blocked this season as well.

Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?

I think that they would say that I am a team first guy. The way I ended up becoming a long snapper was that when I came in as a freshman linebacker we did not have a solid long snapper and I was a quarterback in high school so I tried to help the team and try out long snapper. From our second game on I was the starting long snapper for the next four years. It was something like that, that I think they would believe I am a team first guy. I think that it is one of the most important things to have on a team, someone that is doing whatever they possibly can do to help put a W on the board.

Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on to improve your game?

For me it is two separate mind sets. First I watch a ton of film on myself looking at my snapping form and also how I am covering the punts. I look at my snapping to make sure that I am being consistent in my form and can make adjustments to speed up the ball and have better more consistent location. I look at the coverage to make sure I am taking the right path to the ball and taking away the correct leverage, possibly find somethings that I could change to be more efficient. The second thing I do is watch film of my opponents, everyone has a different way of covering whether it is bailing or riding down the field, I use this information to be able to cover the best I can when it comes to game time.

Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?

I think the main thing is my experience as a linebacker. As I am running down the field, I think that I have a different mindset than most snappers. I want to go down there and do some damage. After the ball is out of my hands, I see myself as a linebacker trying to cover the punt. Another thing is that every time I go out and snap I get better, most snappers have been doing it since HS they are at their peak and it is extremely difficult to get better; for me I am hungry to get better and still have the drive to do so.

Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?

I am finishing up my degree at school but I made my class schedule around a training schedule. Every morning I get up and snap for 2 hours and do some conditioning after, then sadly I have to go to my classes. After classes, I go to the gym and lift. It is a routine that I have come to enjoy. On top of that I am working with Dan Fichter in Rochester on the weekends to focus on my speed and explosion.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?

The first thing is my selflessness, I really see my team as an extension of my family, and I always want what is best for my family. No matter what it means for me I want to help my team out, Faith, Family, Football in that order is my priority. Another thing is that football is in my blood. My dad is a college football coach, when most kids dinner conversations were based on how your day was mine was on the different defensive coverages. My football IQ is extremely high and my love for the game will never leave me.

Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL or any other pro leagues?

My final pitch would be very little words, more of a give me a shot you won’t regret it. If you do you will see that I am a hard working team oriented player. I know that if I get a shot on a roster I will be a very difficult person to cut, I just want the chance to work my butt off for a team and show them what I can do.