Interview: 3-Star 2020 Arizona Recruit Will Shaffer is a True Next Level Athlete

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

After watching Class of 2020 athlete Will Shaffer in action, the “Will” in his name, one could easily surmise, derives from “will do”, as in anything the Saguaro High School football coaching staff asks of him, he responds with “will do”. Not only does Mr. Shaffer do just about everything one can do along the skill positions lineup, but he does them all really well.

Listed at 6-1, 215 pounds, athletes are not supposed to move and do the things Shaffer does on the field quite so well at such an early stage in one’s career. During the 2018 season, the three-star rated recruit was ever present on the field coming up with 52 stops, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, two QB hurries, and one interception in a part-time role at outside linebacker. Playing the hybrid H-back/tight end/slot role on offense, Shaffer secured 29 passes for 569 yards with nine scores, rushed twice for 13 yards with another trip into the end zone, and even threw a 24-yard touchdown pass. By season’s end, Shaffer had helped Saguaro to yet another 4A Arizona state title (13-1) earning All-City and All-Region honors as a tight end.

As word spreads of Shaffer to the college ranks, his recruiting spotlight grows. Memphis has offered with Iowa State, UNLV, and Nebraska showing the biggest interest entering the offseason. To learn about it all, his game and his recruiting, I sat down with Shaffer for a catch-up interview.

*Click link for Sept. 5, 2018, RNG video interview with Will Shaffer

Interview

Will, you were truly all over the field for the Sabercats in 2018 being a difference maker in all three phases. Looking back, how did your junior season go for you personally on the field?

“I improved a lot as a receiving and blocking tight end. I only played half the season on defense, but will play both ways during my senior year.”

How did the playoff run capturing the 4A state title go?

“It was great. It was a fantastic feeling when we won.”

Which game during the regular season and/or in the playoffs was your best?

“The state game against Salpointe Catholic and the semifinal game against Desert Edge were my best games.”

What did you do well in those games to make them your best?

“In the championship game I had a 78-yard TD and a short receiving touchdown. In the semifinal, I had a long 47-yard reception down to the 2-yard line and I had a rushing touchdown.”

With all that you did for the team, where all did you line up on the field and how did your understanding of the game grow this past season?

“At the beginning of the season I was in the backfield a couple of times and on defense played some outside linebacker. That helped me improve on tackling and covering the slot. The other positions I played during my junior year were tight end, punt returner, and slot receiver – I got most of my receptions out of the slot.”

When you took the field on offense, how were opposing teams scheming against you?

“They didn’t try to slow me down much. We have a lot of weapons. They were keying on other guys. When I am at tight end in a three-wide, they did not have an answer for me. I was open a lot.”

How did your game improve overall on offense?

“My route running is what improved the most. I was not that great at the beginning of the season, as a tight end you don’t run a lot of different routes, most of them are vertical routes. In the slot, I had to work on a lot of different routes. My yards after the catch and my hands improved a lot.”

What about on defense, where did you show the biggest improvements?

“I improved on my open-field tackling. Instead of tackling just in the box, I was getting them outside the tackles.”

It may be too early to know, but where all might you line up on the field during your senior season?

“I will be playing Mike linebacker, some slot again and maybe some tight end. I think it will be a lot like last year – the same positions since my freshman year.”

How will you prepare this offseason for the 2019 campaign?

“Same thing as last year, work on getting stronger and faster. I am planning on going to a lot of camps improving my craft on both sides of the ball. I will get into the best shape I can be for the endurance needed to play on both sides of the ball for the entire season.”

Are you playing 7v7 ball with a travel team this spring?

“Yes. I am playing with 20-20 Elite.”

How will that help improve your game overall?

“Guarding the quick guys will help me on defense. At outside and middle linebacker, going up against the short, fast, and shifty guys; if I can guard them at my size, that will be an eye opener for coaches.”

You have the offer from Memphis, when did they offer you?

“The offered me in December.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“Iowa State, UNLV, and Nebraska are showing the most interest right now.”

Did you get to take any unofficial visits during the season?

“Yes. I visited Arizona for their game against ASU.”

How did that visit go?

“They showed me great hospitality during the visit. They have great facilities at Arizona.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“Yes. I am going to Nebraska in February. This summer I am planning on taking more visits.”

The trip to Lincoln should be fun. What has you excited about visiting the Cornhuskers?

“The director of player personnel contacted me after their offensive line coach came to our school. I spoke with their line coach then and he went back to their coaches showing them my film. After that, they messaged me because they liked my film and invited me to a Junior Day. Lincoln is football town, I like that. I hear the atmosphere is insane there. I am definitely looking forward to checking out Lincoln.”

Are you playing any other varsity sports for Saguaro?

“Yes. I am playing basketball and I ran track last year. I’m not sure about running track this year. That is when we will have a lot of practices and football workouts.”

How is the basketball season going for you?

“It is going great. We are doing well. We are about to go into conference play; it is about to get more challenging. Basketball is helping me slim down and getting in shape. Playing basketball is helping a lot with my conditioning.”

Will, I appreciate your time today. It was great catching up with you. Good luck with your workouts and basketball season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Saguaro HS; No. 5 Will Shaffer in action