By R.L. Bynum

North Dakota State shortstop Jake Schaffner, one of the most sought-after mid-major players in the transfer portal, on Thursday became North Carolina’s fourth commitment.

He’ll be the Tar Heels’ likely shortstop replacement for Alex Madera, who has no remaining eligibility. Inforum.com reported on June 4 that a source said that Schaffner would command “six-figures.”

Schaffner, who entered the portal on June 3, was a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which goes to college baseball’s best shortstop. He made six errors in 55 games, with a .972 fielding percentage.

On May 3, in an 8–4 win over Oral Roberts, North Dakota State’s leadoff man went 4 for 5 with two RBI and a steal.

The rising junior from Janesville, Wisc., was the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Summit League selection last season while hitting .364 with 15 extra-base hits and 17 steals, walking 22 times and striking out only 27 times. He made the All-Summit League first team as a freshman.

We've already had 9 Top 250 guys go in this morning, including Jake Schaffner of NDS who made quite a name for himself at the Fayetteville Regional.pic.twitter.com/L9kcGtalMq
— 64Analytics (@64Analytics) June 3, 2025

On top of leading @NDSUbaseball in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and stolen bases, Jake Schaffner plays a stellar shortstop.

The @TheSummitLeague Defensive Player of the Year, he's made just five errors all season, good for a .974 fielding percentage. pic.twitter.com/ZvH5yTD2Wa
— D1Baseball (@d1baseball) May 30, 2025

North Dakota went 21–34, but made the NCAA tournament by winning the Summit League tournament championship. The Bison went 1–2 in the Fayetteville Regional, losing to Arkansas, which is in the College World Series. Schaffner was 3 of 10 with two walks during the regional.

Schaffner earned a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

The ACC champion Tar Heels earlier got commitments from Stony Brook first baseman Eric Paulson, Georgia State catcher Colin Hynek and Georgia State left fielder Michael Maginnis.

Wild ending in Omaha.

Jake Schaffner led off the 10th inning with a triple; comes home to score on a wild pitch.#NDSU wins 1-0, will face Oral Roberts in the winners bracket tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/n38etng2dH
— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) May 22, 2025

UNC transfer commitments

Player	Pos.	Class (next season)	Career statistics	Former school
Owen Hull	RF	Junior	.367, 8 HRs, 63 RBI, 42 SBs	George Mason
Macon Winslow	C	Junior	.267, 13 HRs, 65 RBI	Duke
Jake Schaffner	SS	Junior	.353, 37 RBI 34 steals	North Dakota State
Colin Hynek	C	Senior	.228, 33 HRs, 91 RBI	Georgia State
Michael Maginnis	OF	Senior	.295, 26 HRs, 111 RBI, 40 SBs	Georgia State
Erik Paulsen	1B	Junior	.330, 13 HRs, 68 RBI, 8 SBs	Stony Brook