NFL Draft
3/19/25
5 min read
Jackson Slater 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Sacramento State Hornets OL
Height: 6030 (verified)
Weight: 311lbs (verified)
Year: Senior
Pro Comparison: Mason McCormick
Scouting Overview
Sacramento State offensive guard Jackson Slater projects as a developmental starter for the NFL level. Slater boasts an impressive resume out of Sacramento State and possesses an NFL build with NFL athleticism.
He’s controlled getting out of the blocks and has shown the ability to run power concepts as a puller or connect on solo blocks at the point of attack. His balance looms as a threat to sustained blocks at the point of attack, and his experiences at the FCS level may leave him initially underprepared for NFL rushers on Sundays.
2025 NFL Combine Results
| Position | Name | School | 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Split | Broad Jump | Vertical Jump | 3-Cone Drill | 20-Yard Shuttle | Bench Press |
| OL | Jackson Slater | Sacramento State | 5.01 | 1.78 | 108 | 28.5 | 31 |
Positives
- Illustrates a variety of run game concepts with diverse roles and assignments
- Boasts NFL-caliber density and has shown the ability to uproot at the point of attack
- Athletic enough to get out on the edges or hit zone landmarks
Negatives
- Lack of length cuts down his gravitational pull and puts more stress on his footwork
- Struggles with balance and discipline once setting his hands and can fall or spin-off of blocks
- Improved base will give him more control both once squaring defenders or when trying to fit in space
Background
Slater is from Bellevue, WA, and played high school football for Newport HS. There, he was a standout multi-sport athlete who shined in track and field, basketball, baseball, and football. He played center, guard, and tackle in high school and also played both ways as a senior. Rated as a 3-star recruit (247 Sports), Slater committed to Sacramento State as a member of their 2021 recruiting class.
Slater started nine games for the Hornets as a true freshman in 2021 and then was named Third Team FCS All-American and First Team All-Big Sky Conference for his play as a starter in 2022. He started 11 games at left guard and then two at left tackle that season.
Slater returned to left guard in 2023 and started every game there, once again collecting First Team All-Big Sky honors for his play. Slater again collected First Team All-Conference honors his senior year in 2024, making him the fifth player and first offensive lineman in program history to achieve the feat three times. He accepted an invitation to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl to finish his collegiate career.
Tale Of The Tape
Slater is an intriguing talent with the baseline ability to step into a starting role at the NFL level. He’s smart, tough, and well-built for an FCS prospect, which puts him ahead of the curve as far as preparations for the NFL game.
As a pass protector, Slater is given glowing metrics ratings, but the film underscores the growth opportunities he still has and should be expected to pursue. He has a blend of modest length and foot speed, which explosive rushers can test when attacking the fringes of his frame. Those with the mix of functional power and quickness will test his edges in ways he has not seen much. As a result, his set points, punch timing, and footwork must be on point.
He’s shown cognitive awareness of all of these qualities thus far, albeit against FCS competition. Slater is willing and capable of varying his hand strikes to force rushers to declare themselves with their hands, and his hand power allows him to offset upfield charges. Slater pairs the punch power with good grip strength, which he can use to latch and sustain his fit — at times to his detriment.
Slater is eager to secure hands, but at times, he can be guilty of overextending. He’ll get out overtop of his toes, narrowing his base and pulling his center of gravity off kilter. These reps will cause him to spin or fall off the block.
These lapses exist not just in pass protection but also in the run game. Slater’s feet aren’t the lightest, and when needing to churn and create forward push, Slater can be caught leaning too far into his hands and spin-off blocks.
When he’s doubling or fitting combination blocks, the natural power takes over and you see him successfully chip off the first thump and go off into his climb while looking for the next flash of color across his face. His eyes move well in the run and pass game to find opportunities for work. The speed of the game doesn’t seem to be too fast for him.
Slater’s biggest issues seem to tie back to his feet. He’s got linear burst and has shown the ability to unlock his hips and pull. However, his agility in short spaces to mirror or adjust his ground force on angular blocks is tested as is, and NFL talent should up the stakes.
Without ideal length and reach to fall back on, Slater must optimize his initial exit angles and win first contact at a high rate if he’s going to maximize his potential as a developmental NFL starter.
Ideal Scheme Fit, Role
Slater projects as a developmental starter whose proficiency at the FCS level could be tested with his initial leap to the NFL.
He appears to be fairly diverse in his scheme fit ability but must become more disciplined with his balance and posture to sustain blocks at the desired level he’ll need to play in the pros.
Grade: 70.00/100.00, Fifth Round Value
Big Board Rank: 193
Position Rank: OG14
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