Tennessee Football Set To See Familiar Faces Saturday Against Arkansas

Two former Tennessee players will take on the Volunteers as the Vols take on the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday.

Tennessee defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (0), Tennessee linebacker Aaron Beasley (6) and Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) celebrate during a football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. / Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

College Football is a game of storylines. For the second game in a row, Tennessee will have a storyline going into the game. In the last game, Tennessee took on the Oklahoma Sooners, the alma mater and former team of current head coach Josh Heupel. This time around, they will be taking on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville.

Tennessee will be taking on some familiar faces. This past off-season Tennessee lost many transfers in the portal. Two players who transferred away from Tennessee chose Arkansas as their new team and home. Those two players were Addison Nichols and Doneiko Slaughter. Both players have had significant play time following their decision.

Nichols was the backup center behind Cooper Mays last season for the Vols. His decision followed the announcement that Cooper Mays would return for his final season of eligibility which would’ve landed Nichols back on the bench. Nichols would then enter the portal, go to the Arkansas Razorbacks, and become the starting center. Slaughter would be one of many defensive backs who would transfer after the group was completely rebuilt. He is a huge role player and current starter for the Razorbacks.

This game isn’t personal between the transfers and the program. However, this does add a little bit of spice to an already exciting matchup between the in-conference teams.

Tennessee will currently enter this matchup as -14 favorites with the chance to win another tough road game. This would send them into the Florida game undefeated in an electric home environment.

Other Tennessee News:

• Tennessee Moves Into Top Five of AP Poll After Oklahoma Win
• Offensive Grade Report: Tennessee Vs Oklahoma
• Tennessee Defeats Oklahoma 25-15 On The Road
  

Join the Community:

• Follow Evan Crowell on Twitter: @EvanVCrowell
  
• Follow Blake Schowalter on Twitter: @BlakeSchowalte1
  

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @VolunteerCountry & follow us on Twitter at @VCountryFN.