Ross Shafrath

Position:
Linebacker
Height:
6-0
Class:
Redshirt Freshman
Hometown:
Hampton, Iowa
High School:
Hampton-Dumont H.S.
Major:
Park and Recreation Management

Ross is poised to take on a full-time starting role at linebacker this season ... member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll for academics each of the past four seasons and a three-time recipient of MVFC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award

2011 Ranked fourth on team with 66 tackles ... played in all 11 games, making starts at Illinois State and Youngstown State ... recorded career-high 13 tackles in win at Missouri State, followed by 11-tackle performance against Southern Illinois, when he was named team’sDefensive Player of the Week ... intercepted passes against Southern Utah and Youngstown State, recording 48-yard return at YSU ... honorable mention selection to MVFC All-Academic Team

2010
Saw action in 10 games ... recorded at least one tackle in final nine appearances of the season, including recording five tackles in home victories over Youngstown State and North Dakota ... also forced a fumble against North Dakota

2009
Played mostly on special teams ... made season-high two tackles in victory over North Dakota State ... blocked punt that led directly to touchdown in playoff game at Montana

2008
Redshirted ... named squad’s Scout Special Teams Player of the Year ... also honored twice as team’s Scout Defense Player of the Week (McNeese State,Southern Illinois)

BEFORE SDSU
Put up big numbers on offense under his coach and father, Jerry Shafrath, at Hampton-Dumont High School, racking up 4,346 career rushing yards and 60 touchdowns ... earned all-state honors in both his junior and senior seasons ... defensively, he tallied 307 career tackles ... qualified for state meets in wrestling and track and field ... honor roll student