Ottawa REDBLACKS release Austrian DL Thomas Schaffer

The Ottawa REDBLACKS have released Global defensive lineman Thomas Schaffer from Austria.

The 6’7″, 300 pound defensive lineman played six games for the team in 2023, recording two defensive tackles. His biggest play came in Week 9 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, when he forced a fumble on a short-yardage stop that was scooped up by teammate Douglas Coleman for a score.

Prior to arriving in the CFL, Schaffer played four games for the Tirol Raiders in the European League of Football in 2022, recording nine tackles, four tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. He attended Stanford University where he played for five seasons, collecting 37 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and four sacks. He was an honorable mention All-Pac 12 selection in 2020. In 2021, he signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent, but was released before training camp.

Before finally deciding on Ottawa, Schaffer had signed with the Vienna Vikings in 2023 and announced his intention to convert to offensive line but then joined the REDBLACKS.