Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Former Walk-On Brice Schafer Shines at Offensive Tackle
11/14/2002 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 14, 2002
By Lou Antoine
SIU Media Services
When Brice Schafer walked on to the Southern Illinois University football team in the fall of 1998, he didn't know that he would be one of SIU's best players five years later, but he believed that one day, he would be a starter for the Salukis.
The 6-foot-7, 275-pound offensive tackle from nearby Benton, Ill., and Benton High School was confident of his future success, even though he went to a school with an enrollment of just 500, played on a team of 30 players and wasn't recruited by anyone to play football.
?Even though I was a walk-on, football wasn't a real big shock coming from a small town and not being recruited,? Schafer said. ?I always thought I could come to SIU and become a starter someday. Even if no one else knew, I?ve always known that I was capable of being successful here, and I stuck with it through thick and thin.?
Schafer redshirted his first year and didn't play a down his second year before playing in all 11 games as a backup during the 2000 season. In 2001, he started the first eight games at tackle before a knee injury ended his season. In 2002, Schafer started the first three games before missing three more games with an elbow injury.
 Schafer is a 6-foot-7, 275-pound offensive tackle from nearby Benton, Ill.  | |
Despite dealing with more losses than wins, the injuries and more heartaches than happiness, he is pleased with his choice of SIU and would make the same decision again.
?It's been a great learning experience, even though a lot of weird and unexpected things have happened. I've really enjoyed my time here even, though we haven't always produced great years. Being on the team and being from the area, you get recognized a little bit, which is nice. I like it a lot that my family and friends can watch me play every game. Some of my teammates have family that can only come once or twice a year,? said Schafer.
| "Brice is special. He's such a positive guy. If you talk to Brice, he'll always make you laugh. He's never down. There's a lot of things he could complain about, but he doesn't." Teammate Mike Fritzler |
Although Schafer is one of the biggest athletes on the team, he is a quiet leader who has done more than just become a starter. He's made an impact on the SIU program with his actions and not his words, leading his teammates and earning the respect of a new coaching staff along the way.
?He's invaluable because he sets the tone with his work ethic,? says Matt Limegrover, SIU's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. ?He's not a complainer. He's a guy who just does what we ask him to do. He has great stamina and worked hard all summer, and the younger guys saw him and followed his lead. He's not a vocal kid, but he leads by example. He works hard, he doesn't cut corners and does what he needs to do to make himself better.?
 Schafer hopes for a shot at the NFL next year | |
?We do some things that not a lot of other teams in college football do because Brice can run. We pull our tackles more than most teams in the country. It's a staple part of our offense because of how athletic a kid he is. It's been a tremendous advantage for us as a staff. We run the power play first, but the counter play is our second-best play and he's the prime example of that. In essence, a big part of our offense is set around having Brice Schafer as a tackle.?
Saluki head coach Jerry Kill adds that he would love to have a team full of Brice Schafer's on the SIU roster.
?The best thing about Brice is he's a good kid. He just likes playing the game, and he comes from a good family,? Kill says. ?He's playing hurt right now with a bad elbow, and the other guys see that and how mentally tough he is and follow his example. He doesn't say a lot, he just does his job and does it well. He's a good citizen on and off the field, and everyone can learn from him.?
 Schafer is a big reason why SIU averages 5.5 yards per rush this year | |
?Brice is special. He's such a positive guy. If you talk to Brice, he'll always make you laugh,? says senior center Mike Fritzler, a two-year starter. ?He's never down. There's a lot of things he could complain about, but he doesn't. Last year, when I came here, it was my first time with a losing record after going 21-3 and winning a national title in junior college. I was miserable, but I could always look to Brice, and he'd pick me up.?
The SIU coaching staff and others have told Schafer that he may have the skills to play at the next level. Coach Kill and his staff have coached other athletes who have played professionally, so they know talent, which gives Schafer a good feeling about his play. As far as the NFL, he'll worry about that in the future.
?It makes me feel real good that the coaches have a lot of confidence in me,? he says. ?I've had other coaches tell me the same thing, but I can't really think about that right now. It's something to worry about in three or four months. It has crossed my mind, but it's something I can't worry about right now.?
Can he play in the NFL?
Schafer's athletic ability, a nasty streak, a 6'7 frame and all his intangibles have pro football scouts dropping by on occasion to look at the former walk-on.
And while it may be a long journey from a Southern Illinois University football walk-on to the NFL, playing at the next level is a possibility, according to those who are around him every day.
?Everybody thinks of offensive lineman at the next level as being behemoth, roadgrader, massive 380 pound players,? says Limegrover. ?The things he brings that NFL scouts will like is that he can run for days. He was a quarter-miler in high school. He has a great stride, quickness and a real tough streak in him. Those are the things the NFL will like more than the fact that he's not incredibly strong or 350 pounds. He can run straight ahead and change directions as well as any 300-pounder at any level I've seen. The question is, can he put on the weight and gain the strength to handle guys like Michael Strahan of the New York Giants??
?I think he could possibly make it as a free agent with the right team taking a chance on him,? Kill states. ?The scouts say he'll have to put on 25-30 pounds and get stronger. Maybe he can get on a practice squad and work his way up.?
?He has everything you would want in a professional football player,? adds Fritzler. ?I think he can do it if he wants to.?
And if he doesn't play in the NFL, expect the automotive technology major to have his own busy repair shop in the area.
?The good thing is that he'll get his degree in the auto technology program and probably have his own shop someday,? Kill says. ?That's what he wants to do, and he's good at it. I think he's fixed about every coaches car and every players car. He's very handy.?
