The NFL Draft has wrapped up, and Sacramento State's offensive lineman Jackson Slater is officially on his way to join the Tennessee Titans, having been selected in the fifth round. Slater, who demonstrated consistent prowess during his time with the Hornets, cemented his status as a top prospect with an especially impressive performance at the Senior Bowl, a critical scouting event leading up to the draft, according to ABC10.
With a history of 44 starts over his four collegiate seasons, Slater's reputation as one of the top offensive linemen in the Football Subdivision Conference (FCS) reached its peak when he was named First-Team FCS AP All-American and also a First-Team All-Big Sky selection; these accolades undoubtedly played a part in his draft selection. CBS News Sacramento reports that the Bellevue, Washington native was also one of the first to receive a congratulatory call from former Sac State running back Cam Skattebo after being picked.
Sharing the spotlight with Slater on draft day were a few other local talents, such as defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott from North Highlands who was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round and Elk Grove's own Femi Oladejo, who also found a home with the Titans in the second round as reported by ABC10. Norman-Lott, a University of Tennessee transfer, and Oladejo, a standout at UCLA, both had notable collegiate careers with their respective schools.
Another notable draft pick from the region was Cam Skattebo, whose selection by the New York Giants in the fifth round followed a stellar season at Arizona State, where he showcased his dynamic playmaking abilities, most notably during the Peach Bowl—a performance that earned him the game’s offensive MVP honors even though Arizona State couldn't secure the victory against Texas. Skattebo's journey to the pros included a pivotal stint at Sacramento State before transferring to Arizona State.
