BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Tennessee State wide receiver DeVaughn Slaughter has been named the OVC-Big South Freshman of the Week, the league announced Monday. The weekly honor is the first of Slaughter's career. 

The Indianapolis native made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut, helping lift TSU to a 24-21 victory over North Carolina A&T in the John Merritt Classic at Nissan Stadium.

Slaughter hauled in four receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by an electrifying 82-yard reception in the first quarter that tied the game at 7-7. The play marked Tennessee State's longest scoring strike of the young season and swung momentum back to the Tigers after an early deficit.

In addition to his work in the passing game, Slaughter contributed on special teams, returning two kickoffs for 35 yards. He finished the contest with 117 all-purpose yards, the most by a TSU freshman in a season opener since 2017.

Through the opener, Slaughter leads the Tigers in receiving yards (102) and ranks among the top freshman performers in FCS football. His 25.5 yards per catch currently stands as the highest average in the OVC-Big South among players with multiple receptions.

Tennessee State (1-0) returns to action on Saturday, September 6, when the Tigers host defending FCS national champion and No. 1-ranked North Dakota State at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.