Northwestern University Athletics
Chargers Select Slater at No. 13 in NFL Draft
4/29/2021 9:10:00 PM | Football
CLEVELAND — And with the 13th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers selected offensive lineman Rashawn Slater of Northwestern University.
The three-year Northwestern starter becomes the 183rd player in program history selected in the National Football League Draft and is the first NU player to go in the opening round since DT Luis Castillo was selected 28th overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2005. Slater is the highest Wildcat offensive player off the board since Denver took tackle Chris Hinton fourth overall in 1983. He is the ninth first-round pick in program history.
The future Charger is the highest Northwestern draft pick in the Pat Fitzgerald-era (2006) and is the first NU offensive lineman drafted since the New Orleans Saints took Zach Strief in 2006.
A consensus three-start prospect out of Clements High School, Slater developed into one of the most elite offensive linemen in all of college football, starting 37 games over three seasons, including a streak of 30 consecutive starts from 2017-19. With the Big Ten football schedule in flux due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Slater opted out of the 2020 season to begin training for the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Sugar Land, Texas, native helped pave the way to two bowl victories and a Big Ten Conference West Division title during his time with the Wildcats. Slater earned Freshman Team All-Big Ten honors in 2017 before rounding out his 'Cats career with third team (2018) and honorable mention (2019) conference honors.
An Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Slater had a breakout season in 2019, allowing zero sacks, one quarterback hit and five quarterback pressures over the course of 11 games. Pro Football Focus graded Slater as the No. 2 returning offensive tackle in Power Five football and the top returner in the Big Ten, prior to his decision to forgo the 2020 season. Last offseason, Slater drew national recognition, earning Preseason All-America distinction from Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. He was also named to the Outland Trophy watch list, which is given to the nation's top interior offensive lineman.
Slater earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern in December of 2020.
At Northwestern's 2021 Pro Day, Slater checked in at 6'41/4" and 304 lbs., before turning heads with 33 reps on the bench press, a 4.88 40-yard dash and a 33'' vertical.
The three-year Northwestern starter becomes the 183rd player in program history selected in the National Football League Draft and is the first NU player to go in the opening round since DT Luis Castillo was selected 28th overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2005. Slater is the highest Wildcat offensive player off the board since Denver took tackle Chris Hinton fourth overall in 1983. He is the ninth first-round pick in program history.
The future Charger is the highest Northwestern draft pick in the Pat Fitzgerald-era (2006) and is the first NU offensive lineman drafted since the New Orleans Saints took Zach Strief in 2006.
A consensus three-start prospect out of Clements High School, Slater developed into one of the most elite offensive linemen in all of college football, starting 37 games over three seasons, including a streak of 30 consecutive starts from 2017-19. With the Big Ten football schedule in flux due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Slater opted out of the 2020 season to begin training for the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Sugar Land, Texas, native helped pave the way to two bowl victories and a Big Ten Conference West Division title during his time with the Wildcats. Slater earned Freshman Team All-Big Ten honors in 2017 before rounding out his 'Cats career with third team (2018) and honorable mention (2019) conference honors.
An Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Slater had a breakout season in 2019, allowing zero sacks, one quarterback hit and five quarterback pressures over the course of 11 games. Pro Football Focus graded Slater as the No. 2 returning offensive tackle in Power Five football and the top returner in the Big Ten, prior to his decision to forgo the 2020 season. Last offseason, Slater drew national recognition, earning Preseason All-America distinction from Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. He was also named to the Outland Trophy watch list, which is given to the nation's top interior offensive lineman.
Slater earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern in December of 2020.
At Northwestern's 2021 Pro Day, Slater checked in at 6'41/4" and 304 lbs., before turning heads with 33 reps on the bench press, a 4.88 40-yard dash and a 33'' vertical.
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