Goodpasture Christian football coach Tyler Turner has never heard senior defensive back and Tennessee commit Brandon "Slim" Leavell get called by his government name.
His teammates, coaches, the PA announcer and even his parents all refer to him as "Slim." It was a nickname that stuck to Leavell when he was young and shopping with his mother for a new pair of jeans.
"We couldn't find a good size for me and my grandmother said that I started 'slimming,' " Leavell said. "It just kind of stuck from there."
At 6-foot-5, 165 pounds, "Slim" showcased his wingspan, speed and stealthies against Grace Christian Academy (6-2, 2-2 Middle-A) on Oct. 15. Leavell had two touchdowns and an interception, leading Goodpasture Christian to 35-21 win over the Lions.
The Cougars (7-1, 4-1 Middle-A) also clinched home field advantage in the first round of the TSSAA playoffs.
"I believe we have a really good chance to go deep in the playoffs," Leavell said. "Today was a really great win."
Leavell scored his first touchdown off a 28-yard throw from quarterback Chase Angell into the end zone. Following a Grace Christian three and out, Leavell returned 45-yard kickoff for a score, altering the momentum of the game to give the Cougars a 14-7 lead.
However, it was the interception on quarterback Carter Pray at the Goodpasture 3-yard line that Leavell was really proud of. As you'd expect, most of Goodpasture's opponents won't throw it Leavell's way. It was one moment of the game, but it allowed Leavell to showcase his all-around game, something he doesn't get to do a ton.
"The interception made me feel a lot better about by defensive game and that I can do it anywhere on the field and not just to my side," Leavell said. "It gives me a lot of confidence that guys aren't going to pass to my side, but at the end of the day I've gotta play my game."
Leavell had three receptions for 77 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in one of his final home games.
The Vols have stayed busy recruiting in the Midstate as four of the top players in the area out of the Class of 2027 have committed to Tennessee: Leavell, Kesean Bowman (Brentwood Academy), Kenneth Simon II (Brentwood Academy) and Princeton Uwaifo (Siegel).
"It (Tennessee) just felt like home ever since I got the offer," Leavell said. "From the way they've been recruiting me and it being two and a half hours away, Tennessee felt like home from the jump."
1Q | 4:44 | 7-7
— Jack Williams (@jackgwilliams) October 16, 2026
COUGARS TOUCHDOWN
Goodpasture responds with a 29 yard touchdown pass from @ChaseAngell1 to @Slim_Leavell14 to tie it up. pic.twitter.com/UohKSzhE64
In his time at Goodpasture, Leavell has left his mark on the program, but has had even more significant impact off the field, becoming a role model in the community according to Turner. After his second touchdown against the Lions, he went over to a group of children and gave them high-fives before celebrating with his teammates.
"Everybody at this school loves 'Slim,' " Turner said. "The teachers love him and he's never been in trouble in the classroom. You walk into the locker room and the freshman look up to him because he is so nice to those guys and takes them under his wing. He's exactly who you want to be an SEC player in your program."
J. Cole Chattman rushed for 210 yards on 37 attempts and two touchdowns as the The Cougars moved closer to hosting playoff games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in over a decade.
With Battle Ground Academy up next in Week 10, Leavell and the Cougars are in position for the program's first district title since 2011.
"This was a good win, but we've got a bigger one coming up," Leavell said. "We have to keep this momentum up going into playoffs."
Reach The Tennessean's high school writer, Jack Williams at jackwilliams@theleafchronicle.com and on the X platform @jackgwilliams.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Tennessee football commit Slim Leavell is showcasing nickname with Goodpasture
