Get to Know Your Orange Man: #42, DL Erik Slater

Name: Erik Slater

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 230 lbs.

Class: (Redshirt) Senior

Hometown: Old Tappan, N.J.

High School: Northern Valley Old Tappan (via Lehigh)

2020 stats: Lehigh played a three-game schedule in early 2021, where Slater recorded eight tackles and two TFLs.

2021 projections: He’s a disruptive force on the edge who seems poised to push himself into the Syracuse Orange’s rotation as the team looks to get a better push up front.

How’d he get here?: After playing for Lehigh to this point in his career, he got a chance to jump up to the FBS level for his final season as a preferred walk-on, so he took it. TBD if he stays a walk-on since the Orange have scholarships to give.

What’d recruiting sites say?: Doesn’t seem like he had any stars, but he did find ways to produce at Lehigh with 15.5 TFLs on his career.

Money Quote: Based on this quote from Erik’s high school coach, this is exactly the sort of offseason addition you’re looking for.

“He’s a very valuable piece to everything we do. It kind of starts with him.”

Twitter feed: @erikslater_

Tweets of wonder: Clearly knows what he’s doing rushing the passer.

What movie would Dino recommend for him?: While 2002 film Pauly Shore is Dead mostly revolves around the titular actor who fakes his own death, A.C. Slater himself — Mario Lopez — appears as well.

Interesting nugget o’interest: Slate shares an alma mater with current U.S. senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Let’s get a look at ya: Slater uploads his own highlights, which you can check out below.