Lehigh University Athletics
Shafnisky to take his NFL shot at Eagles rookie minicamp
5/11/2017 9:33:00 AM | Football
Lehigh football senior Nick Shafnisky will get another chance to extend his football career.
The Whitehall, native was invited to the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp from May 12-14 at the Novacare Complex in Philadelphia.
"It's wild," Shafnisky said. "Just getting the opportunity — I'm about to put on an Eagles helmet, an Eagles jersey. I'm about to have a new number…I never thought I'd get to play football after college until this past season."
Last year's Eagles rookie minicamp roster was 55 players — including the players the Eagles selected in the 2017 NFL draft — but Shafnisky said he's not sure how many will be there this year. He will enter the camp as an athlete, hoping to serve as an extra quarterback.
However, he said he's open to playing anything from special teams to wide receiver to defense. He's confident he can make an impact no matter where he is because of the attributes he holds.
"I have a very unique offensive mind," he said. "You can study a playbook, and you can diagnose it mentally just like you can with homework, but I think I understand the game in a different light when I watch film or even when I'm on the field."
He said he first got connected with the Eagles during the Bucknell Pro Day where he talked with a representative of the team. Shafnisky passed the eye test right away, impressing the Eagles representative with his physical abilities.
He heard from a couple of other teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets about possibly competing in their rookie minicamps, but ultimately he went local with the Eagles.
Shafnisky has the chance to be the first Lehigh football player to reach the NFL since Ryan Spadola, who originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013 by the Jets. Shafnisky has spoken with Spadola for advice and to learn about the process.
"He said it's going to be nerve-wracking, it's going to be dog-eat-dog, people are going to look bigger than you," Shafnisky said.
Shafnisky is hoping to sign a rookie contract once rookie minicamp ends. OTAs begin May 23, then mandatory minicamp begins June 13.
"I think in my individual drills and 7-on-7s I'm going to thrive," he said. "Competition brings out more in me, but I don't think — I just let my body and my athleticism play for itself. That's going to be big."
If things don't work out with the Eagles, he's still open to playing for another NFL team or in the Canadian Football League.
Story by Austin Vitelli '17
The Whitehall, native was invited to the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp from May 12-14 at the Novacare Complex in Philadelphia.
"It's wild," Shafnisky said. "Just getting the opportunity — I'm about to put on an Eagles helmet, an Eagles jersey. I'm about to have a new number…I never thought I'd get to play football after college until this past season."
Last year's Eagles rookie minicamp roster was 55 players — including the players the Eagles selected in the 2017 NFL draft — but Shafnisky said he's not sure how many will be there this year. He will enter the camp as an athlete, hoping to serve as an extra quarterback.
However, he said he's open to playing anything from special teams to wide receiver to defense. He's confident he can make an impact no matter where he is because of the attributes he holds.
"I have a very unique offensive mind," he said. "You can study a playbook, and you can diagnose it mentally just like you can with homework, but I think I understand the game in a different light when I watch film or even when I'm on the field."
He said he first got connected with the Eagles during the Bucknell Pro Day where he talked with a representative of the team. Shafnisky passed the eye test right away, impressing the Eagles representative with his physical abilities.
He heard from a couple of other teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets about possibly competing in their rookie minicamps, but ultimately he went local with the Eagles.
Shafnisky has the chance to be the first Lehigh football player to reach the NFL since Ryan Spadola, who originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013 by the Jets. Shafnisky has spoken with Spadola for advice and to learn about the process.
"He said it's going to be nerve-wracking, it's going to be dog-eat-dog, people are going to look bigger than you," Shafnisky said.
Shafnisky is hoping to sign a rookie contract once rookie minicamp ends. OTAs begin May 23, then mandatory minicamp begins June 13.
"I think in my individual drills and 7-on-7s I'm going to thrive," he said. "Competition brings out more in me, but I don't think — I just let my body and my athleticism play for itself. That's going to be big."
If things don't work out with the Eagles, he's still open to playing for another NFL team or in the Canadian Football League.
Story by Austin Vitelli '17
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