Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
American Heritage star aims for defense
Tedarrell Slaton is one of the most coveted recruits in the nation — for his size, athleticism and what he’s done on the offensive line.
But at the next level, the American Heritage senior and four-star prospect, who checks in at a mammoth 6-foot-5 and 360 pounds, wants to play defense.
Slaton was a force at right tackle for American Heritage, but also pitched in on defense throughout the fall season.
Until now, Slaton has been quiet about where he’ll play college ball, though many of his Patriots teammates have already committed.
But three weeks before National Signing Day, he says he’s narrowed his list of favored suitors to two of the college programs recruiting him to play D — Florida and Georgia.
“I cut all the schools out that offered me for offense,” Slaton said.
He’s set for two final official visits ahead of Signing Day — Gainesville on Jan. 21-22 and then, a week later, Athens, Ga.
The Gators already have commitments from Heritage cornerback Marco Wilson and linebacker James Houston, and they may be gaining ground with Kai-Leon Herbert, the 6-5, 275-pounder who gave this year’s state championship Patriots a matched set of four-star offensive tackles. Herbert is committed to Michigan, but Florida landed his final visit following his trips to Auburn and Miami.
Though Georgia hasn’t netted any Heritage pledges for 2017, the Bulldogs do have alums of the Plantation private school who’ve made an impact, with junior Sony Michel at tailback and junior Isaiah McKenzie, UGA’s top receiver this season. McKenzie has said he’ll skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
Slaton helped defensively in short yardage situations, joining AllCounty linemen George Ellis and Nesta Silvera on the interior while junior end and Defensive Player of the Year Andrew Chatfield and Nebraska commit Willie Hampton sealed off the edges. The Patriots, who finished the season as Florida’s Class 5A champions and ranked No. 11 in the nation largely because of their defense and offensive line, gave up under 12 points a game this fall.
Heritage defensive coordinator Chad Wilson believes Slaton, a U.S. Army All-American who took snaps on defense last week ahead of the all-star showcase game, will be dominant at whatever position he decides to play.
“He can do either one,” Wilson said.
A position change isn’t the only factor playing into Slaton’s recruitment.
“I’m trying to get a scholarship for basketball, so I can play at the collegiate level in both sports,” he said.
Averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds this season, Slaton doesn’t hold any basketball offers yet. Michigan alone is on board with bringing Slaton in as a twosport athlete, according to both Slaton and American Heritage hoops coach Brent Maffett, with coaches Jim Harbaugh and Jim Beilein approving the idea of Slaton walking on as a Wolverines basketball player while on scholarship for football.
“He has good post moves, rebounds well, runs the floor well for his size and finishes around the basket,” Maffett said. “He’s like a baby Shaq — with his size and athleticism, he can kind of overpower guys.”