Former Tennessee football safety John Slaughter is back in the transfer portal after one season with Colorado and Deion Sanders. Slaughter is believed to have two years of eligibility remaining, according to Colorado Athletics.
This past year, Slaughter played in the final 11 games of the season at safety and started three of them. He recorded 25 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry. On the season, PFF gave him a 53.9 grade over the course of 297 snaps.
Despite a reasonably strong season for Slaughter, Colorado had very little success as a team. Also boasting former Vols quarterback Kaidon Salter and offensive lineman Larry Johnson III on offense, the group finished 3-9 (1-8 Big 12) a year after going 9-4 (7-2) under the watch of Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
BREAKING: Colorado Safety John Slaughter is entering the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3Sports
He totaled 24 tackles, 1 FF, & 2 INT this season
Started his career at Tennessee https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/mi1xziNS3v
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 22, 2025
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At Tennessee, Slaughter played two seasons, though his freshman year in 2023 was primarily on special teams. In 2024, he played in 10 games, while posting five tackles, half a tackle for loss and an interception.
Slaughter is from Southaven, Mississippi. He was a three-star recruit out of high school, considered the No. 60 safety and No. 8 player from the state by 247.
So far, Tennessee has lost seven players to the transfer portal this cycle. The biggest three names are defensive back Boo Carter, who departed during the season, second-string quarterback Jake Merklinger and, most recently, contributing running back Peyton Lewis.
Other departures include linebacker Brenden Anes, defensive back Marcus Goree Jr., edge rusher Kellen Lindstrom and defensive tackle Jamal Wallace. The portal will officially open on Jan. 2, 2026.
