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The Bolts have one of the most interesting developmental prospects in the former five-star recruit.
Foster Sarell hails from Graham, Washington where he prepped for Graham-Kapowsin under head coach Eric Kurle. When he entered high school, he became the first freshman in school history to start at left tackle for the varsity team. By the end of his career, he was rated a five-star recruit by numerous scouting outlets, including Scout, Rivals, 247sports, and ESPN. After performing in the Arm All-American Game, he announced that he’d be continuing his athletic career at Stanford.
The 2016 @Final5Linemen OL
MVP – Foster Sarell
Jamaree Salyer
Walker Little
Alex Leatherwood
Wyatt Davis
Cesar Ruiz pic.twitter.com/Gtb3HrFT7R
Unlike his high school career, Sarell did not immediately earn a starting role with the Cardinal, despite playing in all 14 games as a freshman. His sophomore season was then cut short due to an injury he sustained in their second game. Overall, he saw time in just three contests in 2018.
Sarell finally got his time as a starter during his junior campaign. He started 11 games at right tackle and earned Honorable Mention All-Pac 12 accolades following the season. He capped off his time in Palo Alto with six starts at right tackle before entering the NFL draft.
After his college career failed to meet the sky-high expectations Sarell earned as a prep, it wasn’t a big surprise that he wound up going undrafted in 2021. He initially signed a contract with the Baltimore Ravens where he spent the first part of his rookie season before being released. He later signed with the Chargers in mid-October. Following the season, he signed a reserve/future contract to stay in L.A.
Height: 6’6
Weight: 322
College: Stanford
Experience: 1
Years with team: 1
“Foster Sarell signed a 1 year, $705,000 contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, including an average annual salary of $705,000. In 2022, Sarell will earn a base salary of $705,000, while carrying a cap hit of $705,000.” – Spotrac.com
At almost 6’7 and 315 pounds, Sarell’s physical makeup is very much the ideal prototype at the NFL level. After all, that’s a big reason he was deemed the number one offensive tackle prospect coming out of his prep career. Coming out of Stanford, NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein noted that Sarell has “strong hands that hold rushers in place” and “a mentality to finish blocks.”
Developmental prospects can get a lot worse than Sarell so I believe the Chargers got their hands on a worthy player here.
Foster’s steep decline from top high school prospect to undrafted free agent is unfortunately going to be the biggest negative Sarell is tagged with. He struggled with injuries throughout his time at Stanford and his inability to find success through a change in position coach early in his college career doesn’t breed a ton of confidence that he can succeed given ever-shifting circumstances that come with being an NFL player.
Sarell will always be an interesting developmental prospect given his background. Another offseason in the NFL and with the Chargers could shine some more light on his true potential. I believe Sarell will be stashed once again on the practice squad and would have to get incredibly lucky to see any time with the active roster.
