Our interior OL prospect Jason Slater

[toffee]

Slater has gotten a second interview:

 

[Chukarhawk]

Went to my High School. Now I have to root for him!! 5th round grade.

Scouting Report: Strengths​

• Explosive first step out of his stance with natural knee bend and leverage that allows him to consistently win the pad level battle in the run game
• Shows some nasty when climbing to the second level, arriving with bad intentions and enough control to stick on linebackers through the whistle
• Natural puller who tracks moving targets with precision, consistently taking proper angles and showing the burst to clear running lanes ahead of backs
• Masterful pass protection technique, particularly in his jump sets where he marries smooth footwork with well-timed strikes to stone rushers early
• Core strength jumps off the tape, regularly absorbing power rushers' initial surge while maintaining his anchor through extended reps
• High-level processor who picks up stunts and twists immediately, showing veteran awareness when passing off defenders in protection
• Brings the juice as a help blocker, delivering crushing shots to unsuspecting defenders while keeping his head on a swivel in pass pro
• Versatility to play multiple positions stands out, having logged quality snaps at guard, tackle and even center against FBS competition

Scouting Report: Summary​

The tape doesn't lie - Slater has NFL starter written all over him, particularly in a zone-based system where his athleticism and spatial awareness shine brightest. His masterful jump sets and natural leverage consistently pop on film, compensating for less-than-ideal length with veteran-level technique. That San Jose State game was a revelation, watching him slide seamlessly to center for a handful of snaps and handle the increased mental load without missing a beat.

The November knee injury is a legitimate concern, but don't let it overshadow three years of rock-solid durability and steadily improving play. Teams running outside zone concepts will fall in love with his ability to reach the track star defensive tackles in this class - I counted at least six highlight-reel blocks against Portland State where he locked up and drove defenders well past the numbers. His anchor needs work against pure power, but show me a Day 3 interior prospect who doesn't need technical refinement.

Mark my words - some zone-heavy team is going to steal this kid in the mid rounds and look like geniuses by midseason. The combination of pass protection polish, positional versatility, and untapped athletic upside is exactly what smart offensive line coaches dream about. Give him a year to fully recover and master an NFL system, and you're looking at a 10-year starter who can play any interior spot at a winning level.