Griz Tight End Evan Shafer: “A Defensive Player In An Offensive Player’s Body”

Meet the Griz is a series that tells the stories of Montana Grizzlies athletes, coaches, and contributors. Here are some past "Meet the Griz" features:

Meet the Griz: What Former Griz, NFL Lineman Scott Gragg Is Up To Nowadays

Meet the Griz: Kalispell Native Drew Deck's Breakout Moment

Meet the Griz: From Griz Star to Aspiring Doctor, Hunter Peck Pursues Life in Medicine

Meet the Griz: The Hard-Hitting Tight End, Evan Shafer

Grizzly tight end Evan Shafer didn't think he'd be playing in 2025. His career was supposed to expire after the 2024 season.

"I did not know I was going to get a waiver until after winter conditioning," said Shafer. "Basically, I went in and talked with the coaches, and they were like, 'You know what, just do everything until they say you can't."

So that's what Shafer did. He continued to practice and work out, preparing as if he were going to play in 2025. The NCAA granted him the extra year thanks to limited snaps at Hillsdale College, a Division II school. It's a good thing he did, because Shafer has hauled in two touchdown grabs this season.

"Oh, I definitely like the Weber one more," Shafer said that he prefers his TD grab against Weber State over Sacramento State. "The funny reason is the Weber one, I got to celebrate a little bit. When the other one we were worried about [Ah Yat]."

That's a fair point, Evan. His quarterback, Keali'i Ah Yat, took a SHOT on his touchdown to Shafer at Sacramento State.

Hard-Hitting Evan Shafer

The touchdown grabs are nice, but Evan Shafer plays like one tough S.O.B, because he is one tough S.O.B.

"So I come from a family and I have three brothers, so it's me and my three brothers, my dad, and my mom. So our whole life it's been, sometimes, you got to fight for food at the table, you know?"

"Just starting from when I was younger, I played fullback, I played linebacker. I didn't really become a true tight end until I got to college."

Shafer views himself as a unique football player.

"I feel like I am a defensive player in an offensive player's body."

Listen to Shafer's full interview above on The Daily Drive with Ace Sauerwein podcast. We chat about his future after college, what's clicking for the Grizzly offense this year and more.