John Slaughter and Larry Johnson III are coming to Boulder
Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes have had an extremely successful recruiting week, bringing in multiple key players at positions of need ahead of the 2025 season. Coincidentally, two incoming transfers are headed to Boulder from the same location: the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Offensive tackle Larry Johnson III was the first former Volunteer to commit to Colorado, making it official on Wednesday morning. Johnson, listed at 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds, was a former top 20 JuCo prospect coming out of Hutchinson Community College in Kansas in 2023.
After committing to play in Knoxville, the big-bodied tackle opted to redshirt in 2023 for the Vols. In 2024, Johnson played in 11 of Tennessee’s 13 games, primarily playing at left tackle. Although the competition to start at right tackle will be a tough battle, between the likes of Phillip Houston, Xavier Hill and others, expect Johnson to fight for his right to play in Boulder. Johnson will have two years of eligibility left with the Buffaloes.
Safety John Slaughter was the second former Vol to decide to trade Rocky Top in for the Flatirons, also committing to CU on Wednesday. Other than having an elite last name, Slaughter made an impact within the Vols’ secondary during his time in Knoxville, tallying six tackles and an interception in 22 games with Tennessee, primarily getting utilized as a special teamer.
Slaughter visited both Purdue and Colorado after entering the transfer portal, eventually deciding to become a Buffalo. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound defensive back profiles more as a depth piece within CU’s safety room, but expect him to be utilized in specific packages in 2025. Slaughter has two years of eligibility remaining.
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