In the modern era of college football, the transfer portal has led to frequent player movement, often driven by factors like playing time or financial incentives. However, what is less frequently discussed is how players feel about the programs they leave behind. Doneiko Slaughter, a former Tennessee Volunteer and now a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks, recently made his feelings about his former team clear, expressing his full support for Tennessee as they prepare for their College Football Playoff showdown with Ohio State on December 21.
Slaughter took to Twitter on Friday to suggest a pre-game speaker for Tennessee: former Volunteer defensive back Inquoris “Inky” Johnson. He added a heartfelt “Go Vols” at the end of the post, showing his continued loyalty. Johnson, a beloved figure in Tennessee history, was a standout defensive back for the Volunteers from 2005-06. His promising career was tragically cut short by a severe injury during a game against Air Force, which resulted in paralysis in his right arm. Despite the devastating injury, Johnson overcame immense adversity, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Tennessee, and becoming a highly respected motivational speaker. His life story is centered around resilience and overcoming obstacles, making him an ideal speaker to inspire the Vols as they head into a tough playoff battle.
Slaughter’s gesture of support is somewhat ironic, given his key role in Arkansas’s 19-14 victory over Tennessee earlier this season. In that game, Slaughter recorded eight tackles and a pass breakup, helping the Razorbacks upset the Vols. Despite this, he has remained supportive of Tennessee, frequently sharing messages of encouragement for his former team and teammates on social media, especially Twitter. It remains to be seen whether Tennessee will take Slaughter’s suggestion to heart and invite Johnson to speak before their playoff game in Columbus.
