After only playing as a return man in the loss to Oklahoma, Boo Carter was not seen with Tennessee football for its win over New Mexico State two weeks later. After the game, Vols head coach Josh Heupel said that he did not meet the standard of the locker room.
On Sunday, it was reported that Carter was officially no longer with the program and would enter the transfer portal heading into his junior season. This all came after controversy around missing team activities heading into fall camp before the season, as well. He had to work his way back to fully rejoin the team, but it did take possible offensive snaps off the table and made him a full-time defensive back.
With the split between Carter and Tennessee official, he spoke with John Brice of FootballScoop.com to give his side of the story. In the interview, he noted that he was confused by the situation.
“It was a great time at Tennessee, two years, but the season ended short for me. I’ll just say goodbye from that point on,” Carter said in the interview. “Like to me, I’m confused. I don’t really know what’s going on about dismissed or the extra stuff he said in the media with me in the locker room or following the rules or standard.
“I’ve been doing everything I could. I told him I was hurt. He wanted me to play hurt throughout the whole season. I don’t know, how he’s putting it is making it sound like the stuff that happened in fall camp still [has an impact in November].”
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Heupel was asked on Monday if he thought that there was an error in not listing Carter in any availability report. He responded by saying that by the information he got from his trainers, he did not feel it necessary to put him on the report.
He also spoke on giving Carter a second chance after the drama from the offseason.
“Not regretful,” Heupel said Monday on allowing Carter to rejoin the team. “At the end of the day, it’s our job as coaches to try to help mold these guys. That’s part of the commitment we make in the recruiting process, and when they decide to come. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. At the end of the day, we’re moving forward.”
Tennessee will be in action next against Florida in Gainesville on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on ABC.
One Response
The problem that I have with the coach and what he said about it being their job to mold these young men…it sis NOT your job to mold them. That there is a problem with coaches and authoritative figures like him. God molds him…NOT you. It is our job to help guide and support them. Really sad.