All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football’s top 10 returning underclassmen in 2022 spring practice

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) celebrates the touchdown of running back Jabari Small (2) against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) celebrates the touchdown of running back Jabari Small (2) against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 10
Next
Tennessee defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (0), participates in a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 0040
Tennessee defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (0), participates in a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 0040 /

Junior. Doneiko Slaughter. 9. player. 839. Scouting Report. Defensive back. Pick Analysis

6’0″ 190 pounds

Warren Burrell, Brandon Turnage, Kamal Hadden and DeShawn Rucker are all out for spring practice, and Burrell, Turnage and Hadden are projected starters. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets transfer Wesey Walker won’t arrive until the summer.

That leaves Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough as the only projected rotational players in the spring, and both occupy Tennessee football’s safety spots. However, Christian Charles and Tamarion McDonald can get second team reps there. Cheyenne Labruzza is a veteran back there. Doneiko Slaughter, though, is the guy with real potential.

The graduate of Roswell High School outside of Fulton County, Ga., was once a four-star across the board and could easily play cornerback or nickel. He and junior college transfer Desmond Williams could be locked in some battles based on how this spring finishes out. Both have openings to play cornerback or nickel with Alontae Taylor and Theo Jackson gone.

Last year, Slaughter had three tackles for a loss, a sack and 16 tackles, 12 of which were solo. That makes him the most productive returning defensive back in spring ball who’s not a senior or hurt. As a result, he’s the one who makes the list, and it’s possible he breaks out this year.

Home/Vols Football