Jake Slaughter has incredible phone call with Jim Harbaugh after being picked by Chargers
By David Wasson
Published:
Every young football player’s dream is to be drafted into the National Football League. Jake Slaughter is no different, and his phone call with Chargers staff Friday after being selected in Round 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft was proof of just how excited the former Florida center was about the moment.
In a video released by the Chargers celebrating their selection of Slaughter with the 63rd overall pick, Slaughter first told Los Angeles general manager Joe Hortiz he was “living the dream” before Hortiz informed him of their intentions with their pick.
“You’re kidding.” Slaughter replied. “Let’s do it, man!”
Slaughter’s enthusiasm didn’t diminish when Hortiz passed the phone to Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, either, who told Slaughter he was doing great when Slaughter asked.
“You’d not doing as nearly as good as me, man,” Slaughter replied. “Let’s go win some games.”
The 6-foot-5, 303-pound Slaughter, a three-year starter at Florida, was the second center taken off the 2026 draft board, six picks behind Iowa standout Logan Jones who went to the Chicago Bears.
The Chargers announced that Slaughter could move to guard, though, where he can compete with either Trevor Penning on the left or Cole Strange on the right. If Los Angeles want to move Slaughter back to center, the team could likely get out of their deal with new addition Tyler Biadasz after 2027.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
