Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter is already considered one of the most promising players on the Vols’ defense. Now, he’s trying to become on of its best leaders. That may be challenging, but Carter doesn’t seem daunted.
“That’s just me as a person, who I am,” the sophomore said on Tuesday. “I try to lead by example, but also be vocal, especially coming in from my freshman season to now. That was a big aspect that I wanted to grow upon.”
There were many that thought Carter would be a star last season, especially when starting linebacker Keenan Pili went down with a season-ending, triceps injury in September. Carter isn’t exactly a middle linebacker. His athleticism is best suited to play outside linebacker. However, a shoulder injury ended his season with five games left to play so no one ever got to see Carter when he was fully comfortable. Why?
Here’s a little secret: Carter’s lack of knowledge about Tennessee’s overall defense hampered him last season. That’s understandable as a freshman. This season should be different.
“I feel like it’s night and day compared to last year and this year,” Carter said of his grasp of the Vols’ defense. “You’re not just out there focusing on what you’re doing. I feel like you’re also focusing on the task at hand of what the offense is trying to do, thinking about the call, what we want to execute in that call and just the best way possible to execute and do better. I feel like…I’m a lot smarter and I’m more self-aware on that field.”
Carter didn’t mince words when asked about his play last season.
“You see a lot of things that I did last year…that’s a bonehead mistake,” Carter said when asked about 2023. “But you’re young and freshmen are going to make mistakes. That’s the learning curve that I had to overcome. I feel like once I overcame that, I feel like I could just go out there and play full speed and just go out there and play.”
That’s what Carter has been doing during preseason camp.
“I think the biggest jump that I’ve just seen overall from Arion Carter is just this level of preparation,” Tennessee linebacker coach William Inge said of Carter’s preseason, which began with rehabilitating his knee. “He will be the first person in the building and, during camp, he stayed here every day. He was in the film when we left. He was in the film room sending text messages about things that were going on during that particular day or things that could have been going on or happening for the next day.
“To see his level of preparation and to see the things that he’s doing for the group and for the team and for the unit on defense, that’s what you want to see from a coach. So seeing his growth is probably one of the better things that I’ve been able to see. When you see him, it shows up immediately that he is someone who can run fast and hit hard.
“And that’s what we love to see.”
In just a little more than a year, Carter has experienced varied forms of pregame jitters. He was certainly anxious for his first game, his first game as a starter and, now, his first game back from injury, as well as his first game actually understanding the Vols’ offense and his role within it. Carter doesn’t seem concerned that any sort of nervous energy could get in his way on Saturday when the Vols host Chattanooga in Tennessee’s season opener on Saturday at 12:45 pm EST.
“I’m confident and I’m just ready to go play,” Carter said. “Knowing my assignment, knowing what I’m supposed to do and being able to lead at a high level. I feel like it’s a night and day difference, right?”
Sounds like it. We’ll all see soon.
