After a late summer of uncertainty and nine games of mediocre play, Boo Carter’s time at Tennessee came to an end on Sunday when Josh Heupel dismissed him from the team and Carter announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal next month.
There was as much hype and expectations around Carter as any Tennessee player entering the summer after the former blue-chip recruit impressed in the secondary during his freshman season. But those expectations changed in late July when Carter no-showed a number of team activities and his positioning on the team was uncertain.
Heupel decided to allow Carter to remain on the team but that he would have to fulfill certain criteria during fall camp to regain his positioning on the team. Carter checked those boxes but things never clicked during the season.
Despite that, Heupel still believes the way he handled the situation was the right one.
“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.”
The sophomore recorded just 25 tackles, three pass deflections and one sack during the 2025 season. Carter forced three fumbles with two coming in Tennessee’s lopsided win over UAB. He also muffed three punts this season though the Vols recovered two of them.
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After starting at STAR for a large chunk of his freshman season, Carter was Jalen McMurray’s backup at the spot throughout the 2025 season.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful two years,” Carter said in a statement released on X (Twitter) Sunday. “Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!”
Carter did not play on defense against Oklahoma and did not play at all against New Mexico State last week. But the Vols never released Carter on the SEC Availability Report ahead of the Oklahoma game. The media asked Heupel whether it was a mistake not listing Carter on the injury report during his Monday presser.
“No, sir,” Heupel said. “Not based on our trainers.”
McMurray will continue to start at STAR in Tennessee’s two final games of the season against Florida and Vanderbilt. It’s unclear who the Vols would turn to if McMurray gets injured or needs a breather.
