With less than two weeks until Tennessee football begins the season in Atlanta to play Syracuse, it is still a bit hazy as far as how much Boo Carter will be a participant. On Tuesday, Vols head coach Josh Heupel met with the media and discussed where the star defensive back, who has two-way ability, is at.
“Boo has continued to grow on the things that we’re asking him to do, to be a great teammate inside of this building every single day,” Heupel said. “Know the charge for him, but for all of us, is to continue to do that. And Boo has continued to grow in what he’s doing on the field. So, I’m excited and pleased with a lot of things that we see from him.”
Carter was with the team to start fall camp, but did miss some team activities at practices as he was off to the side doing individual work. After taking steps to rejoin the team as asked by fellow players and the coaching staff, he made his way back to being a participant in the team drills.
However, when Heupel has met with the media this fall, he’s been hesitant to say exactly what Carter’s role will entail this year. Instead, he’s opted to focus on the steps that Carter has taken to get to the point he is at.
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Expectations are high for Carter entering his sophomore season at Tennessee. Carter totaled 38 tackles, one sack and one interception while starting five games at the STAR spot for Tennessee as a true freshman.
Carter also flashed as a punt returner late in his freshman season, totaling 198 return yards on 12 attempts. The Chattanooga native earned Freshman All-SEC honors last season and was a Preseason Third Team All-SEC selection from the league’s media.
Carter flirted with entering the transfer portal back in December after his freshman season, bargaining for the ability to play on both sides of the field and earning a significant payday in the process. With Tennessee low on proven receivers and Carter’s clear talent with the ball in his hands, the sophomore could earn touches on offense this season.
While Carter’s offensive role is still uncertain for the 2025 season, his defensive role is certain. Carter emerged as Tennessee’s starter at STAR as a true freshman, and could reprise the position at some point this year.
