.Former Tennessee offensive lineman Larry Johnson III and safety John Slaughter have officially committed to the Colorado Buffaloes, joining head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders in Boulder. Their arrival from the SEC brings not only seasoned talent but also maturity and leadership to a program undergoing rapid transformation. In a bold move to fortify both trenches and the secondary, Sanders has leveraged the transfer portal to inject SEC-caliber depth and experience; Johnson and Slaughter are the latest evidence of this strategy.
Larry Johnson III, a hulking 6‑foot‑7, 348‑pound tackle, graduated from Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College before spending two seasons at Tennessee. After a redshirt sophomore year, he saw action in 11 of Tennessee’s games in 2024, stepping up when injuries thinned the Volunteers’ offensive line—and even earning playing time against Oklahoma As a former top-20 JUCO prospect, Johnson brings raw size, SEC-tested competitiveness, and two years of eligibility—an ideal profile for an offensive line in disarray. Colorado lost nine linemen to the transfer portal, prompting Coach Prime to pedal hard in the offseason, adding six linemen including Johnson to rebuild the trenches with seasoned bodies. His physicality and SEC‑level training should immediately elevate Colorado’s line play and help protect their quarterback, likely graduate transfer Kaidon Salter or five-star recruit Julian “JuJu” Lewis
Alongside Johnson, John Slaughter adds reliability and depth in the secondary. A 6‑foot‑1, 195‑pound safety from Southaven, Mississippi, Slaughter appeared in 22 games for Tennessee, primarily on special teams and as depth safety. In 2024 he recorded six tackles (five solo), one tackle-for-loss, and one interception After seeing limited playing time behind a loaded safety corps, Slaughter explored other options—even considering Purdue, Florida State, Kentucky, and Maryland—before choosing Colorado. With two years of eligibility left, he arrives ready to compete for playing time and contribute on special teams. His SEC foundation and competitive demeanor align with Coach Prime’s demand for discipline and physicality
Their simultaneous arrival from Tennessee points to a deliberate “SEC‑to‑Boulder” recruitment pipeline, part of Sanders’s blueprint for rebuilding Colorado After the program’s dramatic turnaround—with Travis Hunter winning the Heisman and Shedeur Sanders becoming Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and later an NFL draft pick Coach Prime is pushing into phase two: building a Power 5–worthy roster capable of winning consistently. Key to that is infusing veteran transfers like Oatis, Coleman, and now Johnson and Slaughter—all with SEC or high-performance FBS pedigrees
Johnson arrives ready-made. Often used as a backup at Tennessee, he has logged game reps against top-tier competition and played both tackle spots. His presence adds much-needed size to a line that must protect new quarterbacks and support an offense poised for big plays. Offensive line coach Gunnar White now has a seasoned blocker to rotate in, mentor younger players, and anchor the left or right side with textbook technique and athleticism.
Slaughter, similarly, comes with upside and untapped potential. Though his stats aren’t eye-popping, he brings special teams value and a professional mindset. His decision to choose Colorado—even with offers from other schools—signals faith in Sanders’s culture, one that emphasizes personal development, on‑field excellence, and off‑field growth. His SEC preparation means fewer adjustment pains entering Big 12 play.
Both players bring intangible leadership qualities. Johnson, a JUCO transfer turned SEC contributor, understands resilience and adaptability—and the grind of trench warfare. Slaughter—born in Southaven and seasoned in Knoxville—knows the grind of competition and the importance of earning every snap. Their work ethics reinforce Sanders’s message: this team demands discipline, maturity, and seriousness—traits he reiterated during a Memorial Day caution to his Buffaloes to avoid distractions and honor professional opportunities.
Colorado has leaned heavily into portal reshaping. Their 2025 portal class ranks No. 25 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 With marquee names like Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, Byron Leftwich, Warren Sapp, and Marshall Faulk already on staff and roster, the Buffaloes have fashioned a coaching and player environment rich in NFL pedigree Sanders isn’t just building depth—he is creating a program with credibility, attraction, and momentum.
Johnson and Slaughter integrate smoothly into this vision. Johnson helps solve a pressing positional need. Slaughter enhances secondary depth and special teams performance. Their SEC backgrounds reduce the typical transition friction and bring mental toughness crucial in high-stakes conference rivalries. Their two remaining years of eligibility offer CSU time to integrate them into starting roles gradually—not as stopgaps, but as developmental pillars.
Their presence will also mentor younger players. A robust OL room featuring upperclassmen and transfers signals quality. Johnson’s experience playing through SEC camps and bowl preparations makes him a natural tutor. In the secondary, Slaughter’s insight and route-reading acumen will help younger DBs prepare mentally and physically for Big 12 spread offenses.
The off‑season timeline to contribution is favorable. Johnson is expected to be part of early-rotation linemen and backup tackle; with continued progression he could start by midseason, protecting Shedeur’s successor. Slaughter, with special teams experience and NBA-level athleticism, could see early snaps in nickel or dime packages. They are not just future assets—they are immediate contributors.
Colorado’s cultural shift continues. Sanders’s Jackson State success under the 40‑40‑20 model—blending grad transfers, undergrad transfers, and high school talent—remains at the core of his blueprint. At Colorado, he has expanded that model’s reach, pulling from top-tier pipelines and NFL-quality rosters With Johnson and Slaughter boarding the program, he reinforces that veteran leadership and championship-ready mentality are non-negotiable.
Their commitment also highlights Coach Prime’s program appeal. Even with Power 5 pedigree, both players elected Colorado over other offers. Slaughter’s decision came after visits to Purdue and FSU—schools with recent national relevance. This is a testament to the cultural and developmental draw that Sanders has built in just three seasons.
Looking ahead to 2025, Colorado will open with a revamped line, a bolstered defensive backfield, and NFL-caliber coaching. The early buzz around quarterback competition, explosive recruits, and high-profile transfers has stoked expectations. With Johnson anchoring the line and Slaughter reinforcing the back end—and both echoing Sanders’s message of hard work and smart decisions—the Buffaloes aim for more than a solid year; they’re chasing relevance and sustained success.
The broader narrative is compelling: Two Vols, forged in the SEC, arrive to assist Coach Prime’s mission. They carry lessons of adversity and intensive competition from Tennessee—and bring them westward to charge forward under Rocky Mountain skies. Their story ties into Colorado’s larger arc: a program rising fast, demanding excellence, and building around proven character and competitiveness.
In the end, this isn’t just about filling roster spots. It’s about embedding the right DNA. With Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders leading the charge, Shepard-Prime’s program is young—but deep. Johnson and Slaughter add veteran consistency and methodology. Their two remaining seasons give Colorado time to develop a core of high-character, high-impact players—to build not just depth, but identity.
It is early. Numbers and stats will tell more as games slip by. But the foundations are being laid: trenches that can hold, secondary that can cover, special teams that can matter. And beyond that: a culture that expects more, demands more, and works harder—hallmarks of Sanders’s blueprint at Jackson State and growing reality at Colorado.
When Coach Prime brought his “luggage” to Boulder, he did so with intent—and he’s unpacking veterans like Johnson and Slaughter to deliver a message: Colorado has arrived back in college football’s power centers, ready to compete, ready to win, and ready to build something lasting.
If these Volunteers help forge something big in the Rocky Mountains, it will prove one thing: under Deion Sanders, the transfer portal isn’t just a tool—it’s a pathway to transformation. And with two players steeped in SEC rigor by his side, the Buffaloes are pushing hard to make phase two into something spectacular.
