Few coaches have embraced this modern recruiting tool as strategically as Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, widely known as “Coach Prime.” Just today, Sanders and his staff made headlines again, securing commitments from two former Tennessee Volunteers: safety John Slaughter and offensive tackle Larry Johnson III.
This strategic move not only strengthened the Buffaloes’ roster on both sides of the ball, but it also justified the challenges facing Tennessee as they lost key players to the portal.
Coach Prime Snags Offensive and Defensive Transfers from Tennessee
Sanders has been a transformative force at Colorado since he took the leadership role in late 2022. His first two big gets for Colorado were John Slaughter, a safety who spent two seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers. Slaughter, a native of Southaven, Mississippi, announced his commitment to the Buffaloes today, following a visit to Boulder.
🚨 Former Tennessee DB John Slaughter is heading west!
The Mississippi native has committed to the Colorado Buffaloes, bringing his SEC mindset to Coach Prime’s defense.#GoBuffs #TransferPortal #CollegeFootball #DeionSanders #JohnSlaughter pic.twitter.com/iYJQekPrPF— Ossacin’s Ducktail (@OssacinDucktail) April 30, 2025
The 6’1”, 195 pound defensive back appeared in 22 games for Tennessee, primarily as a special team’s contributor, but found himself buried on the depth chart after the arrival of highly regarded freshman Boo Carter.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Slaughter sought a fresh start and considered offers from Purdue, Florida State, Kentucky, and Maryland before he finally settled for Colorado.
Colorado doubled down on Tennessee talent with the commitment of offensive tackle Larry Johnson III. Johnson, a 6,6’’, 320-pound lineman, had been a reserve for the Volunteers, appearing in 10 games over two seasons with limited starting experience.
Like Slaughter, Johnson sought a fresh start through the transfer portal, looking for a program where he could compete for a starting role. His decision to join Colorado provides a much-needed boost to the Buffaloes’ offensive line, which lost nine players to the transfer portal this offseason, including key starters who moved on to the NFL.
Can Coach Prime Sustain the Momentum?
The commitments of Slaughter and Johnson are a clear indication of Colorado’s continued rise under Coach Prime, but they also raise the stakes for the 2025 season. Sanders has already defied expectations, turning around a program that was in confusion before his arrival.
KEEP READING: Explore Deion Sanders’ Stunning 29,000-Plus Square Foot Home
The challenge now is how he will be able to sustain the momentum against tougher opponents, including Big 12 heavyweights like Kansas State, BYU, Iowa State, and Utah.
If Slaughter and Johnson can make an immediate provision, Colorado could take another step toward national relevance, which will make Sanders one of the most innovative roster-builders in college football.
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