Meet Nathan Slaughter, the First-Ever Player Signed from the Veteran Combine

Less than 24 hours after the NFL held its inaugural veteran combine, one of the 105 non-rookies who participated in the brand-new event has been signed to an NFL roster. And no, it's not Michael Sam or Brady Quinn or any of the other former blue-chip prospects who worked out. 

Instead, it's a 22-year-old out of the Division II Lone Star Conference who goes by the name of Nathan Slaughter. 

Who exactly are the Arizona Cardinals getting? 

10 things to know about the first veteran combine participant to land a contract

1. The 5'9", 179-pound receiver posted blazing times in the 40-yard dash Sunday, running it in 4.33, 4.37 and 4.39 seconds, according to Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910. And that was no aberration. Per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, Slaughter ran a 4.34-second 40 at his pro day last spring. 

2. He's a shifty slot receiver in the mold of Wes Welker, but Slaughter's also a return specialist. As a senior at West Texas A&M, he returned three kicks for touchdowns. 

3. Slaughter also played cornerback, free safety and running back while attending Lubbock High School in Texas. Per the Buffaloes website, he was a first-team all-district and honorable mention all-state selection in 2009. In a game against the Midland Rebels his senior year, Slaughter caught 14 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. 

4. He had 67 catches, 827 yards and six touchdowns as a junior receiver at West Texas A&M in 2012 before seeing his numbers drop off a touch during his senior season (50, 516 and three). But he also had those three kick return touchdowns and a blocked punt that resulted in a score. You can catch that at the 8:13 mark on this highlight reel: 

5. In an interview last year, Slaughter compared himself to Julian Edelman and T.Y. Hilton. 

6. Coming out of school, he was projected by many to be a seventh-round pick or a priority free agent. NFL.com's Nolan Nawrocki noted that Slaughter was "very well put together for his size" and that his "unique athletic traits could allow him to overcome" his small stature. 

7. Prior to last year's draft, Wilson reported Slaughter had received interest from as many as 17 teams, including the Cards. 

8. After going undrafted, Slaughter signed with the Houston Texans but was released just a few weeks later. He then shifted from one AFC South team to another, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was eventually waived/injured after spraining his left foot in training camp. He was released from the injured reserve in November. 

9. In January, he signed with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. The AFL season gets underway next week. 

10. He could become the seventh man with the name "Slaughter' to play in a regular-season NFL game, joining offensive tackles Chad and Chuck, linebacker T.J., receiver Webster, quarterback Mickey and strong safety Jamoris. None are active. 

There you have it.

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012.

Follow @Brad_Gagnon