Jackson Slater may know why Ivan Garza dropped out of football at Sacramento State., but it is nobody else’s business. All Slater will say is Garza made “a good choice” to quit after last season, his third as the starting right tackle. Slater respects Garza’s decision and will not sit in judgement of his former teammate.
“Some people move on from the game for different reasons. It was just his time,” said Slater, who anchored the offensive line with Garza since both became starters as freshmen in 2021. “He obviously had a good tenure here. I’ve talked to him a little bit. I see him here and there. He’s doing good. We will miss him.”
A line that allowed just 16 sacks in 2023 is in the process of being rebuilt. Slater has started 35 consecutive games, 33 at left guard and two at left tackle in the 2022 FCS playoffs. The only other linemen with experience are right tackle Aiden Meek and guard Kaden Richardson with nine and six starts, respectively, in 2023.
Jose Soto is slated to start at right guard after redshirting last year as a freshman. Fitting in quite nicely at left tackle will be 6-foot-5, 312-pound Joey Wright. The junior transfer from San Diego State played in the first four games last season before leaving the Aztecs with a degree in international security and conflict resolution.
Slater knows better than to think the five linemen who start in the Aug. 29 opener at San Jose State will be the same five to start in the Causeway Classic against UC Davis on Nov. 23. “Even last year, we were shuffling pieces. Injuries played a big part in it,” Slater said. “We’re still trying to find that group. I think people take for granted having the same five guys the whole year.”
One new piece in the line puzzle is Slater’s brother Luke. “He was injured his senior year (at Bellevue High in Washington), so there wasn’t a lot of crazy recruiting,” Slater said. “I wanted him to be a Hornet. This is a place where he can succeed. I’m always looking out for his best interests. It’s good to have another Slater here.”
Looking out for his little brother does not mean Luke will live in the house Slater is renting with fellow lineman Sawyer Hays and a former teammate. “I was not going to let him not stay in the dorms,” Slater quipped. “I want him to do his own thing and I’ll try not to bug him too much. He’s kind of an independent kid anyway.”
Not only will Slater make and take the time to talk football with his brother, but he will also be available “when he needs stuff like a ride to get groceries or a haircut.” Slater wears No. 76 and Luke is No. 67, not that Luke wanted the opposite of his brother’s number. After all, Luke is independent – except when he needs groceries.
