Cardinal Coach's Corner: Thomas Schaffer
When Thomas Schaffer officially steps foot on campus in June, the Stanford coaches will be welcoming a player with enormous potential. The Austria native, who has drawn many comparisons to former Stanford great Henry Anderson, has only been playing the sport for a few years, but was recruited by top schools from around the country.
For more details on what Stanford is getting in Schaffer, we caught up with Lake Forest Academy head coach, Robin Bowkett, in the latest edition of Cardinal Coach’s Corner.
Cardinal Sports Report: Thomas is a unique story, having come over from Austria and just recently picking up the sport. Can you talk about the development you saw from him over the past couple of years?
Robin Bowkett: Thomas has grown more as a teammate than as a player. His technique, physicality and relentless pursuit has certainly improved, and was always there, but it took Thomas a little bit to get used to coming to America and learning to be a great teammate. So much so, that he was elected captain by his peers, as a senior.
CSR: How did Thomas become interested in football? Was there anything specific that drew him to the sport?
Bowkett: Thomas played for about three years prior to coming to LFA. He played for the Austrian U-17 National Team, and also club football, which is like semi-pro here, where there are grown men playing but you don't get paid. I think Thomas being a bigger dude, was drawn to the sport naturally. He loves the physicality of the game and is a fierce competitor. He wants to dominate the man he is going up against and I think it is a cultural thing to want to be the Alpha male.
CSR: What was the most unique thing about developing a player just picking up the sport? Is there any advantage to the fact that Thomas probably had fewer poor habits to begin with?
Bowkett: You know, that is what makes coaching so great. It is about developing all different types of players in football, in the classroom and as young men. Thomas just needed a good male figure in his life, and although he's almost a foot taller than I am, he had the utmost respect for me, especially when I would put him in his place, so to speak. You could tell that Thomas had a lot of natural ability and actually had decent technique. From a technique standpoint and in drills, you just had to tell Thomas once how to correct or tweak something and he immediately got it. He was very coachable in that regard and has a higher football IQ than you would think.
CSR: Thomas had interest from schools around the country. As he narrowed it down, what really stuck out and made Stanford such a good fit for Thomas at the next level?
Bowkett: Stanford is the pinnacle for anyone who wants the highest level of academics and the highest level of athletics. It was exactly what he was looking for, as he will be challenged both intellectually and football wise. He really felt comfortable with the coaches, strength program and the other like-minded guys on the team. He felt the defensive scheme fit him perfectly and could relate to the other players who have come through the program at his position who have been a lot like him. Obviously, being set for life after going to a world-class university like Stanford is going to stick out as well, and of course the weather.
CSR: At this point, we are probably only seeing a little piece of what Thomas can develop into. What do you think are the biggest areas he can continue to grow in over the course of his career?
Bowkett: I think his lateral quickness, and mobility, which Coach Turley will help him with. Just continue becoming the best athlete he can be. He already has great size, length and nastiness, but I'm intrigued to see how much stronger his technique gets and how well he runs. It will also be nice going up against other really big guys like him day in and day out and see how he responds.
CSR: With all the different schools that have come through and recruited your players, was there anything unique about the approach that the Stanford coaches took to the recruiting process?
Bowkett: You know, I think that the Stanford coaches know that they have something that already sells itself and they aren't going to screw that up. Those guys work at it, though, just as hard as anybody, if not harder. They are just good dudes who you become really comfortable with right away. It all started with Coach Turner, who recruits this area, but after meeting with Coach Hart, you thought of the guy as if he was Grandfather within the first five minutes, and you knew he was a great man. They know the brand of football that they want to play, and stick to that, and that starts with Coach Shaw. "Intellectual Brutality" fits them perfectly.