2021 NFL Draft Prospect: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern University
Rashawn Slater the Sugarland, Texas native has turned into one of the top offensive lineman prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. Slater’s versatility on the offensive line and starting experience is going to push his name up draft boards. The big man has played right and left tackle for the Wildcats.
The 6040, 315 pound offensive lineman committed to Northwestern out of Clements High School. He was only rated as a three star prospect by the major scouting pages for high school football. In high school Slater was a guard and also played a little defense on the line. He is pretty athletic, and he comes from a very athletic family. His father Reggie was an NBA standout for 8 years, playing with the Nuggets, Raptors and T-Wolves.
Like his father, Rashawn is light on his feet, and his footwork is quick. That is why he is so impressive on film. He glides to places because he is light on his feet.
NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings
As a true freshman, Slater started 12 games at right tackle and graded as the number 1 freshman offensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus. Slater was named to the Freshman All-Big Ten team.
He would continue his dominance in 2018, starting every game. He was named third team All-Big Ten as a true Sophomore.
In 2019, Slater shifted from right tackle to left tackle and excelled. Rashawn only allowed five pressures on 355 pass-blocking snaps, giving him a PFF pass-blocking grade of 88.2, one of the highest in college football.
This year, Slater is looking to dominate the Big-Ten at the left tackle position and solidify himself as a top 100 draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Notes:
Rashawn Slater is one of the most underrated prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. His versatility is what separates him from the other prospects. He was a standout offensive guard in high school, he came to Northwestern and started 26 games in a row at right tackle before switching to left tackle last year and started 11 games. He is super smart winning All-Academic Honors every year. It is hard to pass up a player with athletic pedigree, size, speed, smarts, and starting experience. – Damond Talbot, NFL Draft Diamonds Owner
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com