After an off-season filled with turmoil, Tennessee football defensive back Boo Carter is not listed as a starter on the Vols’ first depth chart. Instead, at the STAR position, it will be Jalen McMurray. Carter is placed as the second-string player for the role with Marcus Goree Jr. as the third-stringer.
At punt return, a spot where Carter shined in late in his freshman year, Josh Heupel declined to name a starter. Instead, Carter was listed alongside wide receiver Braylon Staley and freshman running back Daune Morris as options.
On Monday, Vols head coach Josh Heupel was directly asked if he anticipated Carter to play against the Orange on Saturday.
“Anticipate that,” Heupel said. “For all of us during the course of this week, it’s still learning, earning and taking a job and proving that you’re ready, too.”
This comes after Heupel danced around the status of Carter a week ago. When meeting with the media to get the ‘mock game week’ started, he didn’t want to give a direct answer on what Carter’s participation would look like.
“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.”
More From RTI: Who is Listed as a Starter on Tennessee Football’s Offensive Line Depth Chart
Carter was in attendance to start fall camp, but was held out of some team activities at the opening stretch of 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.
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 a lot clearer. Carter emerged as Tennessee’s starter at STAR as a true freshman, and could reprise the position at some point this year.
