GUARD JACKSON SLATER
(on how much he talked to the Titans prior to the Draft and Bill Callahan in particular)
Yeah, I mean, actually never met with Coach (Bill) Callahan, but met with the assistant offensive line coach at the combine and did a Zoom with him as well. But really excited that the Titans saw something in me and took a shot on me and I'm excited to be a part of the organization, for sure.
(on his style as an offensive lineman and what he wants to be known for)
Yeah, I think being a versatile guy is a big part of my game and being able to fix problems when problems arise. I think that a big job of offensive line is being able to adapt and do a lot of different things as well as I think my athleticism shows a lot and looking forward to showing that on tape, for sure.
(on his size and strength as far as playing center or guard)
For me, I think I can develop into a really good center, but obviously, I haven't played a ton of it. But I think just having that interior versatility helps any team. So, I think being able to provide that when needed would help a lot, in my opinion. So, I'm excited to get that opportunity, for sure.
(on how much of a chip he had on his shoulder leading to the Senior Bowl and how he helped himself competing against league-level opponents)
I think I'm a guy that's had a chip on my shoulder my whole career, I think at every stop along the way, proved people right that have taken a shot on me. So chip's still there. I don't think that's going away ever. But I think Senior Bowl was a big week for me because I think the biggest knock that small school guys have on them is level of competition. 'Can he do it against better players?' So, for me going into that week, being able to show it's not going to be an issue for me and I'm just as good as anyone else in this draft. It was a big week for me, for sure.
(on when he hit his growth spurt and if he was always a big kid)
Yeah, always, always a big kid. Didn't start playing tackle football until fifth grade, but was always kind of that bigger guy. I think I was probably tallest compared to my classmates and like, middle school, maybe. But was always kind of gradually grown and kind of hit that 6-3 mark junior, senior year high school.
(on if he had any offers to transfer to a bigger school at Sacramento State and develop his game there)
Yeah, I had a couple throughout the process just over my career, but for me, I was lucky enough to have a really good offensive line coach in Kris Richardson all four years at Sac State. And wasn't really looking to roll the dice on another coach as well as I think kind of having some sort of legacy and being a part of a lot of really good teams at Sac State was something that I also wanted to kind of finish out and kind of be a hornet for my career. So, I think I made the right decision in hindsight, for sure.
(on making Bruce Feldman's College Football 'Freaks' List and if his listed lifting numbers are accurate)
Yeah, it sounds pretty accurate to me. I think my squat might've gone up like 20 pounds since then. But yeah, it was really cool to see those Bruce Feldman lists that he puts out. I think all the credit goes to the staff at Sac State. I was lucky enough to have a lot of really good strength staffs as well as a lot of good people in the training room on the medical side. I think keeping me healthy in my time here as well as being able to improve strength-wise and physically and athletically. I think something that's always been a part of my game and to be honored like that was really cool for sure.
(on if anyone else in his family played football)
I think I have like a great uncle who played for the Saints in like the 80s, Rueben Mayes. My dad played at Western Washington back in the 90s. Then my brother, Luke Slater, just got put on scholarship at Sac State. He's adding a lot of value to that program and I'm excited for him for sure.
(on what excites him to work with the other offensive linemen on the team and also Cameron Ward)
Yeah, I think it's really cool. I think there's a lot of young talent, which I'm excited to get to work with. Coach (Bill) Callahan's reputation speaks for itself, I think. To be learning from an offensive line coach with kind of his sort of pedigree, I think is really going to help me in my career. I'm really excited to see how it shakes out, for sure.
(on how much he knows about the offensive linemen on the Titans and how much he's looking forward to learning from them)
I'd say I've been following the Titans loosely over the last few years. Obviously, JC Latham was a top pick. Peter Skowronski was a top pick. Being able to watch those guys in their first couple of years and how they've developed, I think is something that I can really apply to my game and learning kind of, the do's and don'ts of your first couple years, what did you kind of figure out. I think stuff like that is something that's really going to help me with some younger guys in the room and kind of being able to relate to them a little bit and what they've gone through recently. Excited to get to work with them for sure.
(on if he's been to Nashville and how he will fit in the South)
I think it's going to be a great city for me, in my opinion. I feel like I've always kind of had that Southern vibe a little bit, you know, fisherman. I like getting outdoors. I've heard a lot of great things about Nashville and wasn't able to make the trip before now, but I'm excited that that's kind of how it shook out for sure.
