Boo Carter’s status with the Tennessee football team is again uncertain as Carter not only did not play but was not on the sideline during the Vols’ 42-9 win over New Mexico State on Saturday evening at Neyland Stadium.
“At the end of the day, there’s a standard that you have to meet to be in that locker room,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said following the game. “He was not out on the field with us. That will be the last— my last response to anything related to that for right now.”
Heupel did not straight up say that Carter was not at the stadium for Tennessee’s lopsided win but most evidence points to that being the case.
It’s been a tumultuous season for Carter starting in July when it was unclear what his status with the team was going to be. After a strong freshman season, Carter no-showed a number of team activities in July making his status on the team uncertain.
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Carter earned his way back on Tennessee’s team during fall camp, starting as a limited participant and then doing more-and-more as the month progressed.
The sophomore recorded just 25 tackles, three pass deflections and one sack during the 2025 season. The sophomore has forced three fumbles with two coming in Tennessee’s lopsided win over UAB. He’s also muffed three punts this season though Tennessee recovered two of them.
Carter has been Tennessee’s backup STAR this season, playing limited snaps behind Jalen McMurray. His effort has left much to be desired at times including against Kentucky when he loafed after giving up a long touchdown completion.
The slot corner did not play on defense during Tennessee’s loss against Oklahoma two weeks ago at Neyland Stadium. Carter did return punts, muffing his third of the season in the Vols’ poor performance.
With Carter out, McMurray has played all the meaningful snaps at the STAR spot. The Vols got a number of young players opportunities in the win over New Mexico State.
One Response
Tennessee should have dismissed Carter earlier this year. When he missed the team meetings earlier this year and coach gave him a chance prove himself as a true VOL. Then he starts thinking that he’s too big and valuable to be a VOL player, let him move on….He and his mom should go to Colorado is where she posted earlier on that’s where he should go. NO college is dumb enough to offer him anything. If he thinks he’s too good to be a VOL.