Transfer portal bound Doneiko Slaughter thanks Tennessee fans  

On3 imageby:Eric Cain•12/10/23•

_Cainer

As reported Friday afternoon, Doneiko Slaughter confirmed his intention of entering the transfer portal Sunday evening with a thank you message to Tennessee fans on social media.

“Expressing my gratitude for the tremendous support, development and love I’ve experienced during my time at the University of Tennessee,” the cornerback posted. “The relationships I’ve bult with my brothers and staff have been invaluable, contributing significantly to my growth as both an athlete and individual. The support from Volnation has made this university feel like a home.”

Slaughter racked up 87 total tackles over his four-year career in the Orange & White with 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception and seven passes defended. He was hampered by a foot injury most of the 2023 season, causing him to miss two games altogether and to be limited in others.

The Rosswell, Ga. native has one final year of [COVID] eligibility remaining and it will take part away from Knoxville.

“However, after careful consideration, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal. This decision is about my personal growth and aspirations and in no way diminishes the gratitude and love I feel for the University of Tennessee.

“I am sincerely thankful for the opportunities and memories here.”

Doneiko Slaughter through the years

The former three-star started the first collegiate game of his career at STAR on the road against South Carolina back in 2020. From there, he was regulated to a backup safety role and on special teams. The veteran wasn’t thought to be a key contributor for the Vols on defense a season ago, but that quickly changed midway through the 2022 campaign.

Slaughter, a junior at the time, made a surprise appearance at safety on the road at LSU, notching a pair of tackles and was credited with 0.5 TFLs. He then started the next two games at the spot, in place of Jaylen McCollough, for wins over Alabama and UT Martin. Against the No. 3 team in the country and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner (Bryce Young), Slaughter recorded eight tackles in the upset victory against Alabama. McCollough comes back and Slaughter shifts to cornerback, starting the next four games on the outside with no prior experience at the position.

In his first start at cornerback against Kentucky a season ago, the versatile player was responsible for two forced turnovers. He absolutely drilled Kentucky wideout Dane Key on a slant over the middle – jarring the football free for Juwan Mitchell to intercept and return for 40+ yards. Slaughter later played perfect technique underneath and picked off his first career pass.

Slaughter entered his senior campaign in 2023 as a starter at cornerback, but was sidelined with the foot injury early on. He went on to finish his final season at Tennessee with 32 tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack – appearing in 10 games.

Understanding the Portal

The winter transfer portal window opened on December 4th and runs for 30 days. The winter window to enter the portal closes on January 2nd. The spring portal window runs from April 16-30th.

Players don’t have to pick a school they are going to during those specific dates but those are the span of dates on when a player can enter the portal.

Those dates don’t apply to graduate transfers who can enter the portal whenever they wish prior to May 1st. Also, if there’s a head coaching change, players can enter the portal outside of those dates.

Players who enter the portal in the 30 day winter window are trying to be somewhere for the spring semester. 

For Tennessee the spring semester starts on January 22nd which is late compared to many schools around the country. Tennessee a year ago started a winter mini-term class that runs the first 3 weeks of January. 

With the portal, schools also have to stay at 85 or below in their scholarships numbers, meaning when the spring semester starts they can’t be over 85. In Tennessee’s case, that number is closer to 82 as the Vols balance the scholarship reductions that they received last July when the NCAA ruled on the Jeremy Pruitt case. 

You may also like