Former Tennessee defensive back John Slaughter has announced his transfer destination after entering the NCAA transfer portal following two seasons with the Volunteers. Slaughter has committed to join the Colorado Buffaloes, where he’ll play under head coach Deion Sanders.

Slaughter saw action in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2023 and remained a contributor on defense in 2024. Last season, he recorded five tackles, an interception, and a tackle for loss.

A former three-star recruit, Slaughter was ranked as the No. 599 overall prospect in his class, the 56th-best safety, and the 13th-ranked player in Mississippi coming out of high school.

With Tennessee’s depth at safety already depleted this offseason, Slaughter was expected to have a larger role in 2025. His departure leaves the Volunteers searching for new options at the position.

 

Former Volunteers sign undrafted free agent deals

Tennessee saw four players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Edge rusher James Pearce was taken by the Atlanta Falcons late in the first round. Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott went to the Kansas City Chiefs near the end of the second round. Running back Dylan Sampson landed with the Cleveland Browns in the fourth, and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders, also in the fourth round.

 

As usual, several veteran Volunteers went undrafted but are already getting chances in the NFL.

Veteran defensive tackle Omari Thomas quickly signed with the New Orleans Saints. A 6-foot-4, 325-pound space-eater, Thomas had been a mainstay in Tennessee’s defensive line rotation over the past four seasons and was once a four-star recruit.

 

Elijah Simmons, another powerful interior lineman at 6-foot-2 and 340 pounds, is heading to the Arizona Cardinals. Simmons generated some late-round buzz but ultimately went undrafted.

Walk-on safety Will Brooks will join Norman-Lott and former Vol Trey Smith with the Chiefs. Brooks became a key playmaker for Tennessee in 2024 after an unexpected breakout the year before. He delivered clutch performances, including a game-winning interception against Alabama and a pick-six versus NC State.

 

Surprisingly, receiver Bru McCoy, offensive guard Javontez Spraggins, and center Cooper Mays remain unsigned for now. Updates will follow as more signings come in.