Former San Joaquin Delta College football player Webster Slaughter starred in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, playing for five different teams and amassing 8,111 receiving yards on 544 catches and scoring 44 touchdowns.
Slaughter was additionally one of the most feared return men in the league, and is the most successful Delta alum to step on an NFL field.
Under the guidance of current Head Coach Gary Barlow, Delta College has produced a plethora of talented players.
The 2010 graduates are no exception.
This fall marked the outset of journeys for several former players to join Slaughter and other former Mustangs who have played in the NFL.
2010 MVP quarterback Adam Kennedy is now playing for Utah State.
In front of Kennedy on the depth chart at the moment is freshman quarterback Chuckie Keeton, who has had a number of strong showings this season, including a narrow defeat on the road at the hands of defending national champion Auburn, according to the school’s athletic department statistics.
The Valley Conference player of the year should get more opportunities in the future for the Aggies, but so far has only thrown two passes, completing them both for 29 yards.
Kennedy’s favorite target last season, wide receiver Derek Graves, is gradually starting to catch on at Idaho State, seeing his first action Saturday, Oct. 1 against Portland State and hauling in three catches for 48 yards and his first touchdown.
Perhaps the biggest impact by an ex-Mustang so far this season is being made by safety Aaron Matthews.
Starting at strong safety for Texas State, Matthews is already a key cog in the Bobcats secondary and has been making plays all over the field, recording 30 tackles, one interception, two tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery in five games.
Another defensive back to keep an eye on is cornerback Beau Fryar.
Now at Fresno State, Fryar was named Valley Conference special teams player of the year in 2010 but hasn’t seen any action for the Bulldogs this season.
The reason for optimism despite the lack of playing time early on is Fresno State Head Coach Pat Hill, who is one of the best coaches in the country and in recent years has produced seven defensive backs that have gone on to the NFL.
Joining Fryar at Fresno State is wide receiver Gerome Surrell.
The list of 2010 graduate Mustangs in NCAA ranks this season also includes Fred Jones (Morningside), Finnis Caldwell (Northern Colorado), Eric Matthews, Sam Houston (Texas College), Stephen Perriera (Oklahoma Panhandle State), Stephen Memory (Montana State University), Josea Gaines (Lincoln University), Dale Crump, Brandon Dunlap (Central Washington University), Justin Hunnicutt (Iowa Wesleyan University).
FOLLOW FOOTBALL
The current Delta Mutangs football team is 3-1 going into Saturday’s home game against City College of San Francisco.
Saturday
at home against City College of San Francisco, 1 p.m. DeRicco Field
Oct. 15
at home against College of the Sequoias, 1 p.m. DeRicco Field.
Oct. 22
at Reedley College in Reedley, 1 p.m.
