Tennessee football fans are holding their breath every time Boo Carter is mentioned these days, and that’s unfortunate.
He’s already one of UT’s best players as a defensive back and dynamic punt returner. And he could be among the SEC’s most exciting stars, especially if he can add wide receiver to his repertoire.
But here’s why fans can’t rest and simply enjoy the countdown to kickoff of the 2025 season.
Carter’s status with the Vols is uncertain.
Knox News has learned that Carter missed numerous team activities, and he was confronted by team leaders because of his absence.
UT declined comment. But coach Josh Heupel is expected to address Carter’s status at UT’s on-campus media day on July 29, if it hasn’t been resolved by then. Preseason practice begins July 30.
Carter is not available for comment until UT begins practice. His representatives did not respond to a Knox News request for comment.
It’s a frustrating development for UT fans, who deserve more stability.
They’ve been worn down by an offseason that included quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s abrupt departure over an NIL dispute, cornerback Rickey Gibson and wide receiver Mike Matthews flirting with the transfer portal but staying at UT and pass rusher James Pearce’s NFL draft stock dropping because he was sometimes a headache behind the scenes for the Vols, according to reports.
Give Matthews and Gibson some grace because they never entered the portal or missed team activities. There’s no manual for managing the transfer portal era. And they’ve earned their teammates’ trust and will be in key roles in the 2025 season.
But Iamaleava and Pearce are relevant as Carter’s situation plays out.
Recalling that Nico Iamaleava situation escalated quickly
Iamaleava’s exit seemed to go from nothing to something very quickly.
In April, talks between UT and Iamaleava’s representatives over NIL benefits turned contentious. Iamaleava cut off contact with Heupel and teammates, and then he skipped the final practice of spring.
Iamaleava’s time with the Vols was over, and he eventually transferred to UCLA.
“There’s no one that’s bigger than the Power T, and that includes me,” Heupel said about Iamaleava’s dismissal.
The memory of that escalation should concern UT fans as Carter remains in limbo. The Vols need him to mend strained relationships with teammates and show up to team activities.
If not, Carter’s days with the Vols are numbered. But if he can buy in, UT can weather this storm and enjoy the benefits of Carter’s talent.
Tennessee managed James Pearce, and it paid off for both
UT has a template for the latter scenario – that is, managing the minor mishaps of a star player.
Before Pearce was the No. 26 pick of the Atlanta Falcons, he had to fend off questions from draft insiders about his character and maturity. His stock dropped out of the top 10, but he was still a first-round pick.
Fair or not, the questions stemmed from Pearce’s time at UT. It was believed that he wasn’t completely accountable in the little things expected of star players.
UT coaches were prudent in their public criticism of Pearce.
“(Pearce) can be elite, but now he has to make sure he’s that every day,” defensive line coach Rodney Garner said in August 2024. “He can’t pick and choose when he’s gonna be a pro.
“… He’s very, very, very, very talented.”
Carter is also very talented. And like Pearce, his teammates feed off his energy and big plays on game days. But Heupel and his coaches had to manage Pearce, demand his best and hold him accountable.
Ultimately, it worked out for Pearce and the Vols. But there were bumps along the way. Notably, Pearce was one of the best pass rushers in college football, but he only started 12 of 26 games in 2023-24.
It’s a delicate balance, especially when dealing with players who make a difference in a season like Pearce, and possibly Carter.
Why it matters that Tennessee leaders confronted Boo Carter
Whether Carter plays for the Vols in 2025, there’s a silver lining to this turmoil.
Team leaders confronted Carter over his absence, signaling a level of accountability this young team will need.
Following Iamaleava’s exit, the Vols rallied together behind members of their leadership council. Those are players chosen by teammates to fill leadership roles.
At SEC media days, one of those leaders, tight end Miles Kitselman, talked about how the Vols reacted to Iamaleava’s exit.
“Hey, man, we want somebody who wants to be here,” Kitselman said on July 16. “If you don’t want to be here, that’s fine. We’re going to go find somebody who does.”
Similarly, those team leaders weren’t happy with Carter’s absence, and they addressed it in line with Heupel’s mantra: “There’s no one that’s bigger than the Power T.”
Granted, this dispute is over summer workouts and team activities. But those matter, especially in the new revenue sharing system where schools pay players directly.
Players are expected to earn their role in more ways than one. There’s still time for Carter to do that and put this to rest.
Tennessee fans deserve at least that much.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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