The Tennessee Vols' biggest issue in 2022 was an inconsistent pass defense. 

Tennessee ranked No. 127 in the nation last season in pass defense. 

The only SEC teams with a worse pass defense than the Vols last season were the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Vanderbilt Commodores. 

Tennessee has more depth in 2023 which will provide the secondary with an instant boost. 

There's also the experience factor — specifically when it comes to senior cornerback Doneiko Slaughter. 

Slaughter is expected to be one of the Vols' top cornerbacks in 2023 after mostly playing safety previously at Tennessee. 

The Georgia native made his first start at cornerback last season against Kentucky when the Vols were in a pinch. 

Slaughter then finished the season with several starts at cornerback despite his inexperience at the position. 

On Wednesday, Tennessee defensive backs coach Willie Martinez told reporters that Slaughter had only played a few snaps at cornerback during spring practice before starting at cornerback against Kentucky last year. 

"He's doing a really good job," said Martinez when asked about Slaughter. "He's all-in. We love versatility in our defensive backs. That is what we want." 

"When we went down with some injuries in the middle of the week of the Kentucky game, he did not bat an eye," added Martinez. "We told him, 'Doneiko, go over and play corner.' He had not played corner at all besides a couple of snaps in the spring. We all saw how he played in that game and moving forward. He's a playmaker and is someone that has proved it. He's had a good spring and he is locked in on playing corner right now. He's a really good player and a playmaker. You see it in him. He just has to be more consistent."

Slaughter told reporters on Wednesday that playing cornerback has grown on him. 

"It grew on me like you'd expect it to," explained Slaughter. "I'm fine with whatever corner position. I feel like the boundary corner is more physical now since I got used to it."

Now that Slaughter is focusing on cornerback and truly learning how to play the position, he should be more consistent. And who knows, perhaps Slaughter develops into a star. There's no doubt he's a physical defensive back. If he can refine his cover skills, he could become a dependable cornerback in Tennessee's aggressive defense.