BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Power five football players don’t come around often, but when you have the kind of size and talent that Bismarck’s Jack Shaffer has, it’s hard for schools to not want you.

Shaffer is overcoming extra hurdles to lead the Demons to the playoffs this season.

Jack Shaffer is one of the best football players in the state with D1 aspirations. When he’s on the field, people notice.

“Obviously, he’s not 100%, but him at 50% is better than a lot of the guys we have,” said BHS Head Coach Mark Gibson.

Bismarck High’s upset win against then number one West Fargo Sheyenne came with a high cost: Doctors told then Iowa State commit Jack Shaffer he tore his hip labrum and that he would miss the remainder of his senior season.

“I don’t think I could’ve slept that night if we had lost and I chose not to play. So I think the sacrifice was definitely worth it,” said Shaffer.

After the Demons beat the Mustangs, Shaffer got a second opinion on his hip.

“I had to make the hard call,” said Shaffer.

Shaffer broke the news that he would return to finish his senior season and that he was flipping his commitment to Washington.

“The decision for me was based off who I want to be and what my final goals are. So, I went to the University of Washington, I went to tour the facilities, meet the coaches, see what they’re about. And I feel like they’re a better fit for me,” said Shaffer.

College commitments are all well and good, but Shaffer still has a high school season to finish.

“This has been solely Jack’s decision. He wants his senior year to go out on his terms,” said Gibson.

“If you look around me, this is my home, this is my family, I love playing with these people here. It was a decision that I was ready. I wanted to risk a little bit of that pain a little bit of that healing,” said Shaffer.

Bismarck’s best lineman will be in the Pacific Northwest for the 2025 season.

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