Former Vol transfer calls for Tennessee legend to give a pregame speech before the Ohio State playoff game
In the new era of the transfer portal, players come and go often times for reasons that aren't completely known. It's presumed for better opportunities, whether that be financial, playing time, or both. However, what's also often unspoken is how a player feels about the program that they're leaving. Former Tennessee Vol and current Arkansas […]
In the new era of the transfer portal, players come and go often times for reasons that aren't completely known. It's presumed for better opportunities, whether that be financial, playing time, or both. However, what's also often unspoken is how a player feels about the program that they're leaving.
Former Tennessee Vol and current Arkansas Razorback Doneiko Slaughter made his feelings known about his previous team: he's all in on them as they get ready to face the Ohio Sate Buckeyes in the first round of the College Football Playoff on December 21.
The ex-UT defensive back took to Twitter on Friday and suggested a pre-game speaker before the game: former Tennessee defensive back Inquoris "Inky" Johnson. He also finished with a hashtag of "Go Vols".
Tennessee fans young and old know the story of Johnson, who played for Tennessee from 2005-06. His promising career was cut short when he collided with an Air Force player and suffered a career-ending and life-altering injury that required surgery to save his life and resulted in paralysis in his right arm.
However, Johnson turned a lemon that life had handed him into lemonade. He went on to graduate from Tennessee with a bachelors degree in 2007 and masters in 2009, ultimately becoming a widely sought public speaker. One of Johnson's messages has been about encountering adversity in life and knowing how to respond to it. That would be the appropriate message as the Tennessee football team heads into a hostile environment in a game where the oddsmakers don't like their chances.
Slaughter's support of Tennessee is a little bit ironic, as his performance in Arkansas's 19-14 win over the Vols on October 5 is one of the reasons the Hogs were able to pull off the upset. Slaughter finished with a team-high 8 tackles and a pass break up.
Still, Slaughter has been supportive of his former team and teammates on social media since his departure, particularly on Twitter/X, so perhaps it's not too surprising he's backing his old mates next weekend.
We'll see if Tennessee adopts his suggestion before the Vols take the field in Columbus.
Two Tennessee Vols earn highest individual honors on Friday
UT had a pair of standouts duly recognized
