The senior lineman and thrower is taking his talents to Caldwell after a standout high school career on both the field and the track.
Calvin Shaffer has always been the kind of athlete who shows up in two places at once. On Friday nights, the Payette High School senior was anchoring the Pirates’ offensive and defensive line. Come spring, he was stepping into the shot put ring. Now, with a fresh personal record on the books and a college commitment secured, Shaffer is ready to do it all over again, this time at the College of Idaho.
Shaffer broke his personal record in the shot put at the Snake River Valley meet, launching the 12-pound ball 53 feet, 4 inches, a mark that reflects years of work in the weight room and on the throwing surface. The throw not only stands as a personal best, but places him first in the Snake River Valley Conference, second in the 4A division, and seventh in the entire state of Idaho across all classifications as of April 24, 2026. For a 6-foot-4, 275-pound senior from a small-town program, those numbers speak loudly and they’re a strong signal to the Yotes’ coaching staff of exactly what he’s bringing to Caldwell.
The commitment to the College of Idaho means Shaffer will compete in both football and track and field for the NAIA program, a rare opportunity that speaks to his versatility. The Yotes have made a habit of recruiting multi-sport athletes, and Shaffer fits the mold: physically imposing, technically developed, and with experience competing at a high level in both disciplines throughout his high school career.…