Furman: Talented, three-year letterman who returns for his second season of starting duty at right tackle...helps comprise a veteran offensive front that counts four of five returning regulars...unit is clearly the strength of this year's team...is overshadowed by Paladin consensus All-Southern Conference left tackle Joel Bell but may very well contend for all-conference honors himself...career includes starting duty at center and three seasons of near flawless work as the team's snapper for punts and placements. 2007 -- Began the season as a backup at right tackle but by game four had firmly established himself as a starter...got the starting nod in the Paladins' final eight games, helping Furman's offense average a solid 407.8 yards per game...logged 501 plays and an 80.2 percent blocking grade, second only to Bell's unit leading 80.4 percent mark...topped the 80 percent mark in five of the Paladins' final six games, including a season high 89.5 percent mark against Western Carolina (52-21 win) in the season finale...was superb against both 11th-ranked Georgia Southern (24-22 win), tallying a grade of 86.2 percent on 48 snaps, and versus 14th-ranked Elon (52-49 win) with a mark of 87.3 percent on 71 plays. 2006 -- Logged 218 plays as a backup tackle and center, seeing action in all 12 games...also handled all shorts and long snaps on special teams...registered the first start of his career (at center) against Chattanooga (28-22 OT win) in place of injured regular Reggie Goolsby...came off the bench for a season high 66 plays versus The Citadel (23-17 win)...was in on 62 plays against Elon (24-13 win). 2005 -- One of five true freshmen to earn playing time...activated mainly due to snapping skills but also registered some reserve action at tackle, totaling 33 plays...most action (21 plays) came in 45-6 win over Elon...was flawless on special teams, contributing in Paladin punter Ingle Martin earning All-America honors (43.2 avg.) and placekicker Scott Beckler landing All-SoCon accolades (14x24 FGs).

High School: 2005 graduate of Northwestern (4A) High School...football coach was Jimmy Wallace...saw action at offensive tackle, defensive end, and long snapper...served as team captain in 2004, helping Northwestern to a 13-1 record, region championship, and Upper State runner-up finish...team finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in South Carolina and No. 18 nationally by USA Today...named all-region, all-area, All-Upper State, Associated Press All-State, and Big 16 Offensive Lineman-of-the-Year...joined fellow Paladins Jordan Sorrells and Philip Morris as Shrine Bowl selections...helped South Carolina to a 35-21 win over North Carolina in the annual classic.

Personal: Full name is Thomas Gary Slaughter...son of Chuck and Joy Slaughter...born August 5, 1987, in Rock Hill, South Carolina...parents now live in Charleston...has a brother, Chuck...father played offensive tackle at South Carolina and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the eighth round of the 1982 NFL Draft...business administration major.