Player Bio
Slaton was a U.S. Army All-American after his senior year at American Heritage High School, where he played for former Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain. He played in all 11 games for the Gators as a true freshman (11 tackles, 1.5 for loss) and then started two of 10 appearances in 2018 (21 tackles, one for loss). Slaton began using his massive frame to make more plays his junior season, posting 29 stops, four for loss, with two sacks in 12 contests as a top reserve. He was a big part of the Gators' defense in 2020, starting all 12 games in the middle (37 tackles, 3.5 for loss, with 1.5 sacks). -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
Strengths
- Outstanding size with adequate athletic talent for a big.
- Weight is evenly distributed throughout frame.
- Explosive first step into contact.
- Power to drive center into the backfield.
- Keeps moving and tracking toward the ball.
- Able to work himself free of block sustains.
- Quick release from block to tacklers near his gap.
- Shows ability to work a rush plan.
- Strong club arm and drive power for pocket push.
Weaknesses
- Weight has been an issue in past and needs to be monitored.
- Has had issues with inconsistent motor.
- Way too upright against the double team.
- Stack-and-shed game not very twitchy.
- Fails to control point of attack.
- Below-average feel and fight-back against angle blocks.
- Narrow base slows lateral slides against cutoffs.