The battle at one of Tennessee’s most important positions continues to wage on, even as the Vols’ head into October. While that could be a cause for concern, it actually looks like a team strength.
Tennessee seems to have a couple of playmakers at its STAR position, which is a hybrid defensive back/linebacker role. You’re surely aware of freshman Boo Carter, the highly touted prospect from Chattanooga who has shown two things this season: his athleticism and immaturity.
The athleticism has been on display every time Carter has gotten onto the field. Carter has seven tackles this season and two quarterback hurries. However, there’s the immaturity aspect that must have the Vols’ coaches befuddled at times.
Carter has been caught a couple of times this season acting, well, like a teenager, which he is. Carter was flagged for a late hit out of bounds earlier this season. He was also caught by Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel celebrating in the locker room after a Vols’ win live on his social media. That was frowned upon.
Carter’s youth has allowed sophomore Christian Harrison an opportunity to play STAR. If you recall, that position was supposed to held down Jourdan Thomas, the junior who suffered a season-ending injury early in camp. Now, it’s up to Carter and Harrison, who has been with the Vols since 2022. Harrison redshirted last season, likely in hopes of keeping him around a year longer, especially with his versatility and ability to play STAR.
“I think I’ve gotten pretty comfortable as we’re going through this thing,” Harrison said. “We just finished up Game Four and with my coverage, keeping my leverage, whether that’s inside or outside, and just playing within the framework of the defense.
“Obviously, there’s still things I need to get better with and with that, I just watch the film and break that down, pick out what those things are. But outside of that, I’ve done a pretty good job at adjusting and playing lethal within the defense.”
Harrison played “lethal” on 56 of the 68 defensive plays against Oklahoma. Like Carter, he also had two tackles against the Sooners. Is Harrison, who is the son of NFL standout Rodney Harrison, taking over the STAR position, at least for now, until Carter grows up a bit more?
“I came in obviously as a corner,” Harrison said. “My freshman and sophomore year, I played at the corner. After sophomore year is when I started learning STAR and also both safety spots, so when I started learning that, I got comfortable pretty fast.
Playing STAR is a much different challenge than playing cornerback. Often playing inside the tackle box, the STAR position gets knocked around much more than either of Tennessee’s cornerbacks. Harrison isn’t worried about that.
“I’ve always been physical I would say,” Harrison said, “so it wasn’t a crazy tough adjustment since it’s what I’ve always been doing.”
Now, Harrison just has to keep doing what he’s doing to hold onto his position, knowing that Carter is probably a better overall athlete and maturing each and every day.
